The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has

renewed its alliance with the Industrial Truck Association in an effort to reduce hazards

associated with powered industrial trucks. This is a five year agreement and will focus on tip-

over and struck-by hazards, which are two of the most common hazards related to the industrial

truck industry. The participants will work on resources and training which will help in

recognizing and reducing workplace hazards related to the operation of powered industrial

trucks. In addition to tip-over and struck-by hazards, there will also be an emphasis to promote

existing OSHA campaigns which target preventing falls and heat illness. Finally, they will

implement projects that protect temporary workers, and encourage a culture of safety. The

emphasis will be on small businesses and workers with limited- and non-English speaking skills.

“Many workers suffer serious injuries or die from being crushed, struck by or falling from

forklifts,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David

Michaels. “Our continued alliance with ITA will help us promote awareness of the dangers of

this equipment and provide valuable information and training to protect the safety of workers.”

If you have any questions about how this alliance might impact your company or about bringing

your company’s occupational safety and health policies and procedures up to code, please

contact us. If you have anything to add about how important this alliance is to the industrial truck

industry and the safety of those workers, please leave a comment.