On December 1, 1998, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a standard that revised the existing requirements and issued new requirements to improve the training of powered industrial truck (forklift) operators.  The standard became effective on March 1, 1999. This new standard is intended to reduce the number of injuries and deaths that occur as a result of inadequate operator training.  The powered industrial truck (forklift) operator training requirements will apply to all industries where trucks are being used, except agricultural operations.

OSHA’s goal is to reduce the number of injuries and illnesses that occur to workers in the workplace from unsafe powered industrial truck (forklift) usage.  By providing an effective training program, many other benefits will result.   Among these are the lower cost of compensation insurance, less property damage, and less product damage.

Every type of establishment (except agricultural operations) that has employees who operate powered industrial trucks (forklifts) will have to comply with the requirements of the standard.  Powered industrial trucks (forklifts) are used in a wide variety of workplaces including, but not limited to retail establishments, warehousing and distribution operations, manufacturing establishments, construction, and the maritime industry.

OSHA only requires the safety rules training.  It is the employer’s responsibility to provide practical training to the employees.