Benefits of Training

Why do we train forklift operators?

1. To save money:
   Training saves on insurance costs. Reduces costly product damage. Lowers equipment repair costs. Reduces down time.
2. To create a safer working environment:
   Training improves operator safety and performance by 70%. 70% to 90% of all accidents claimed to be caused by forklifts are caused by operator error.*
3. To comply with government regulation:

   1910.178(l)(1)(i)
   The employer shall ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l).

   1910.178(l)(1)(ii)
   Prior to permitting an employee to operate a powered industrial truck (except for training purposes), the employer shall ensure that each operator has successfully completed the training required by this paragraph (l), except as permitted by paragraph (l)(5).

   U.S. Department of Labor, Program Highlights Fact Sheet No. OSHA 92-36 NEW OSHA CIVIL PENALTIES POLICY A seven-fold increase in the maximum limits for OSHA civil monetary penalties was stipulated in the Budget Reconciliation Act passed by the 101st Congress.

   The maximum allowable penalty is now $70,000 for each willful or repeated violation; and $7,000 for each serious or other-than-serious violation as well as $7,000 for each violation of the posting requirements and $7,000 for each day beyond a stated abatement date for failure to correct a violation.

   The amounts are ceilings---not floors. However, in order to ensure that the most flagrant violators are in fact fined at an effective level, a minimum penalty of $5,000 for a willful violation of the OSH Act was adopted.

   *”Measuring the Effectiveness of an Industrial Lift Truck Safety Program” Harvey and Roger C. Jensen, Journal of Safety Research, Vol. 15