National Forklift Safety Day Highlights Safety Through Operator Training

(WASHINGTON, DC) June 14, 2016 – After completing forklift operator training, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration reports a 61 percent improvement in operator performance scores. That was today’s key message at the third annual National Forklift Safety Day, held today by the Industrial Truck Association (ITA) at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Capitol Hill, Washington, DC.

The event features speakers from OSHA and the National Safety Council, the Chairman of the Congressional Subcommittee having jurisdictional oversight for OSHA, and key industry representatives.

Furthering the ITA’s mission to raise awareness and improve safety, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently renewed its alliance with the Industrial Truck Association during the industry-sponsored National Forklift Safety Day.

“Reducing worker injuries and fatalities is paramount to our companies and our industry,” said Brett Wood, president & CEO of Toyota Material Handling North America and chairman of ITA. “We are very pleased to have our alliance with OSHA renewed for another five years, and will continue to highlight the importance of operator training.”

Through the alliance, participants will develop resources and provide training on recognizing and reducing workplace hazards related to the operation of powered industrial trucks. Additionally, the alliance will promote OSHA campaigns on preventing falls and heat illness, implement projects that protect temporary workers, and encourage a culture of safety. This will be especially beneficial to small businesses and workers with limited and non-English speaking skills.

National Forklift Safety Day serves as an opportunity for forklift manufacturers to highlight the safe use of forklifts, and the importance of operator training and daily equipment checks. Speakers from the National Safety Council, OSHA and industry representatives articulated the effectiveness of training to support successful safety programs across a broad spectrum of industries.

“Safety is an ongoing commitment and requires dedication from employer and employee all year round,” said ITA President Brian Feehan. “National Forklift Safety Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness and demonstrate our industry’s commitment to increased safety through operator training. We are pleased to see more stakeholders join us in this important initiative, and collectively we will continue to emphasize the common goal of Safety First.”

Forklifts, which are the most common type of powered industrial truck, originated in the United States in 1917. Since then, annual US sales have grown to more than 190,000 units. Forklifts are used to lift, move and place materials throughout our economy, offering load capacities from a few thousand pounds up to 90 tons. They are extremely versatile machines and operate in a wide range of indoor and outdoor environments. A well-maintained forklift operated by a well-trained worker is critical to our country’s $165 billion material handling industry.

Many ITA members are also sponsoring forklift safety events for their customers, which often include conducting free operator training, distribution of safety material and hosting open houses across the nation.

About ITA: For more than 60 years, the Industrial Truck Association has been the leading organization of industrial truck manufacturers and suppliers of component parts and accessories that conduct business in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Based in Washington, D.C., ITA maintains an influential voice in international standards development for the industry. The organization also advances engineering practices to promote safe products, disseminates statistical marketplace information, and provides industry forums for learning and networking.