Review Operator Safety Training OSHA Compliance Requirements

Shoppa's Offers Safety Training Programs for all Your Industrial Equipment Needs

OSHA regulations are tough and there are strict requirements for lift truck operator training and documentation. Shoppa's Mid America offers safety training classes to meet the needs of customers to be in compliance of the law.

It is important to Shoppa's to remind you of the basic safety training courses or refresher courses in order to keep up to code and maintain efficiency in your warehouse as well as worker safety. Some 100 people die annually in forklift accidents, and 30,000 more are injured. To help make your operations safer, make sure your company is educated by signing up for a safety training course.

OSHA regulations state that companies using powered industrial trucks are required to provide their operators with classroom instruction and hands-on training by a trained, knowledgeable and experienced instructor.

Shoppa's offers several training options to fit your company's needs including on-site training, Train-the-Trainer programs, video training, and operator permits and courses in an e-learning facility. The courses are a convenient and affordable way to ensure your warehouse is complying with OSHA regulations.

If you need to get new employees trained, Shoppa's Mid America offers one class per month at our facility for training. In other cases, we will go to your location for specific application training.

Contact a Shoppa's Mid America certified trainer today for more information on upcoming courses or to schedule a course today.

Forklift Safety for a Better Tomorrow

No job can - or should - be completed without proper safety protocols in place. This is particularly true when dealing with heavy machinery, such as forklifts, in the workplace. Learn the key features of a safe forklift, the statistics on the features that most buyers prefer, and the best practices for workplace safety while operating a forklift.

Toyota has developed the world's first System of Active StabilityTM (SAS), derived from automotive technology. Toyota's SAS and Active Mast Control (AMC) technologies were designed specifically to reduce the likelihood of tipovers. Following the introduction of SAS, transportation injuries involving forklifts in the United States decreased while the SAS field population increased between 1999 and 2010. While mandatory operator training enacted by OSHA certainly plays a large part in these reductions, the safety impact provided by SAS cannot be underestimated - Toyota's SAS system helps reduce the likelihood of overturn accidents.

From warehouses to manufacturing plants, forklifts are a vital tool of productivity, moving everything from parts to potatoes. With thousands of forklift injuries occurring every year, forklift safety awareness is essential. See statistics on the safety features most buyers prefer and how Toyota's System of Active Stability helps reduce the risk of tipovers with the infographic below:

Be Prepared - New OSHA Training Standard to Start Soon

December 1st Set as Training Deadline for Revised Hazard Communication Standard

OSHA's Hazard of Communication Standard (HCS) has recently been revised to include new requirements to evaluate hazards of chemicals and prepare labels and safety data sheets information. Facilities have until December 1, 2013 to complete all employee training.

The updates to the HCS include all operations and facilities that have at least one hazardous chemical on site. This includes battery-powered forklift trucks battery acid, propane-powered industrial units and food facilities that use chemicals for cleaning.

The main reason for the rule change is to increase safety and awareness of hazardous chemicals in the workplace. "We are updating Haz Com to meet the needs of our changing world," Assistant Secretary David Michaels said. "Revising OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard will improve the quality and consistency of hazard information, making it safer for workers to do their jobs and easier for employers to stay competitive."

The revisions are the result of OSHA's alignment of the HCS with the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of Classifying and Labeling of Chemicals. Changes were made in order to better standardize the world of hazardous chemicals.

"Now, under the new standard, instead of having a variety of different safety data sheets and labels, the hazard warnings will now be the same regardless of who produces it or where it is produced...the message is the same regardless of who sees it," said Michaels.

Shoppa's Mid America encourages all customers to get trained as quickly as possible. For more information, contact us today. You can also find more information regarding the HCS rule change at www.osha.gov.

How to Optimize Safety When it Comes to Forklifts

For 14 years, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has required that every forklift in operation be inspected for optimum safety. Anyone who operates a forklift must have suitable training for that specific type of lift. This could seem a bit excessive due to the constant rotation of employees and machinery, but take a moment to consider the possible costs. There are over 90,000 forklift related injuries every year in the United States. How many of these accidents do you believe could have been avoided with proper training and inspected equipment? Not only that, but how much is wasted every year on damaged forklifts and lost product?

For a company to optimize safety, it must take into consideration these points:

1. Those who operate machinery must have proper training.
2. Forklifts must be inspected regularly to ensure optimum safety.
3. Workspace must be clean and organized.
4. Damaged equipment must be red flagged until deemed safe.
5. Unsafe operators must be confronted.
6. Management must keep track of equipment use.

Some forklift dealers offer training courses designed to keep your employees operating safely and in on-site training, train-the-trainer programs, video training, and operator permits.
accordance with OSHA requirements. Shoppa's Mid America offers its customers

Keeping track of the condition of forklifts can be difficult, especially for those who do not service their own equipment. Shoppa's Mid America offers our customers a full maintenance package with every lift. With this service, dispatched technicians come to the customer and inspect the lift quarterly. Having a regular checkup such as this allows you the peace of mind that you are operating under the OSHA safety requirements.

It is common for managers to overlook parts and maintenance costs by considering them to be an unavoidable expense. More times than not, certain trends can be found in maintenance, such as abusive operation. A good way to keep track of this is to assign employees to specific lift trucks. Even a step further would be to install impact monitors, which can detect a collision and deactivate the forklift until a manager deems it safe to operate.

The safety of a facility is based on consistent maintenance, reliable work force, and advanced technology. It rests on management to keep track of these factors and address them accordingly. Forklifts are valuable assets to any company; knowing for a fact they are being operated correctly is essential.

For more information on the safety training programs offered by Shoppa's Mid America, please visit our website.

How to Keep Your Warehouse Workers Safe and Productive

Employers and managers who are responsible for both large and small warehouses alike, know that there are many unique challenges to keeping their workers safe. Although each employee is responsible for his or her own behavior, it is up to management to set the guidelines to be followed. Here are some important tips for formulating your warehouse policies.

Set appropriate and realistic deadlines.
You will force your workers into taking unnecessary chances with their own bodies and with your expensive equipment if they are forced to meet quotas that are physically impossible. Hurried employees may overload forklifts or rush unsafely through the facility. It is simply not worth the risk.

Insist on workers wearing appropriate safety gear.
Depending on your business, this might include hard hats, steel toe boots, safety glasses, ear plugs or other appropriate noise reduction gear, safety vests, etc. Those employees working on loading docks should be provided with safety vests that are more reflective than conventional vests so that they can easily be seen by trucks and other motor vehicles.

Create the coolest working environment possible.
Temperature-wise that is. Heat stress is a very real danger to warehouse workers during the summer. It is not enough to ask them to wear thin clothing or to bring extra shirts with them to work. Heat stress leads to undue fatigue, lack of concentration, and other more dire symptoms, and is also one of the leading causes of workplace accidents. Make sure the warehouse has proper airflow and invest in industrial fans to help keep workers as comfortable and safe as possible.

Set up a regular break schedule and insist that workers keep themselves hydrated.
During hot summer months, employees should consume 8 ounces of water every 20 minutes or so. Rotating positions may also help alleviate fatigue and reduce accidents.

Hold regular training sessions on how to lift properly.
Although this may seem unnecessary, especially if most of the workforce has been on the job for many years, reminders never hurt. Complacency over time can lead to serious back and other injuries such as shoulder strain or even crushed hands. Insist on a "buddy system" whereby workers are encouraged to help each other lift loads that are much too heavy for one person to handle.

Ensure every new employee receives proper training.
No new employee should be allowed anywhere forklifts and other heavy equipment before he or she has been properly trained. Implement a series of training steps. Only after their successful completion can an employee assume control of the equipment. Refresher courses for veterans, particularly if you acquire new equipment, should be mandatory as well.


Shoppa's Mid America is your resource for all of your warehouse needs including design, installation, tear-down, liquidation, cooling systems, as well as safety training and products. Visit our website for more information today.

10 Frequently Asked Questions Pertaining to Forklift Training

When it comes to training for these trucks, there are specific OSHA requirements that must be met. Below are some frequently asked questions related to forklift training.

1. What vehicles are considered to be powered industrial trucks?
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) defines a powered industrial truck as a mobile, power propelled truck used to carry, push, pull, lift, stack, or tier materials. Powered industrial trucks, often called forklifts or lift trucks, can be ridden or controlled by a walking operator. Excluded from the OSHA standard are vehicles used for earth moving or over-the-road haulage.

2. How has OSHA changed its powered industrial truck standard?
Previously, the OSHA standards required that any trained operators could operate powered industrial trucks with just generic operator training. The new standard requires employers to develop a training program specific to the type of truck to be driven and the working conditions encountered. Employers must also evaluate the operator's performance in the workplace and certify that each operator has received the training needed.

3. What industries are covered by the new standard?
The new standards cover general industry, maritime and construction. The general industry standard is 1910.178(1).

4. Where can an operator obtain the training to become a certified forklift operator?
The employer is responsible for implementing a training program and ensuring that only trained drivers who have successfully completed the training program are allowed to operate powered industrial trucks. An evaluation of each trained operator must be conducted during the initial training, at least once every three years, and after refresher training. The training and evaluation may be conducted by the employer, if qualified, or an outside training organization. Shoppa's Mid America offers both OSHA compliant operator safety training and "Train the Trainer" programs. Operator safety training classes are offered once a month and are available on-demand at your location. Visit our website to learn more and see a schedule of upcoming classes.

5. What type of training is required?
The training must be a combination of formal (lecture, video, etc.) and practical (demonstration and practical exercises), and include an evaluation of operator performance in the workplace. Truck-related topics must be included, along with the requirements of the OSHA standard. The specific training topics are listed in the standard.

6. Who should conduct the training?
All training and evaluation must be conducted by a person with the necessary knowledge, training and experience to train operators and evaluate their competency. This may be the employer, another employee, or other qualified person. The training and evaluation does not have to be conducted by a single individual, but can be done by several persons, provided each one is qualified.

7. Is refresher training required?
Refresher training is required when the operator has been observed driving unsafely, been involved in an accident or near-miss, received an evaluation that indicated unsafe operations, is assigned to drive a different type of truck, or if a workplace condition affecting safe operation changes. An operator evaluation is required after refresher training.

8. What does "certified" mean?
The employer must certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated as required by the standard. The certification must include the name of the operator, the date of training, the date of evaluation, and the identity of the person(s) performing the training or evaluation.

9. Does an operator who has already been trained as a powered industrial truck operator have to be retrained under the new law?
If an operator has received training in a required topic and the training is appropriate to the truck and the working conditions encountered, additional training in that topic is not required if the operator has been evaluated and found competent.

10. Where can I get additional information about OSHA and the new standards?
For more information, contact your local or regional OSHA office or visit www.osha.gov. You can also contact Shoppa's Mid America today to get a free safety evaluation by one of our certified trainers.

Distracted Driving is Dangerous - Even on a Forklift

Most people would agree that distracted driving is a worldwide problem; however, they might also think that it is one which does not apply to them. It doesn't matter if you are operating a service van, semi-truck, car, or a forklift; distractions can cause injury or death to the vehicle operator, to other drivers or to pedestrians who are unlucky enough to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Eating while driving, passengers or the radio are some of the biggest diversions when it comes to driving a car, but certainly not the whole realm of distractions in today's world. Drivers today deal with cell phones, text messaging, surfing the web on their phones, DVD players, navigation devices, MP3 players, complex sound systems and much more.

The problem in the material handling world is that people are bringing poor habits from their personal vehicles into the workplace and on to powered industrial trucks. Distractions on forklifts include two-way radios, FR scanning equipment, eating and drinking, cell phones, music playing devices, pedestrian traffic and fatigued driving just to name a few. As far as radios, RF scanners, cell phones and music players go; smart companies will put in place a policy which says "these types of devices may not be used while in motion, no exceptions." Make the first offense a formal write up and time off and the second termination and your rule will be very effective.

Food and drink is another area of concern. Companies which want to avoid the chance of accidents in this area will advise operators to keep food in the lunch room. Even if operators are not eating or drinking while in motion, the chance of a spill or drip while in motion and the subsequent distraction, is too great. Hot and cold liquids which are spill on operators result in many auto accidents each year, as do the dropping and retrieval of unsecured items. It does not help that many manufacturers are now building cup holders into their dashboards; it only encourages operators to bring along things best left behind.

Another problem is drowsy driving. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, drowsy driving causes more than 100,000 auto crashes per year in the US. These crashes result in 40,000 injuries and 1,550 deaths. There is no doubt that all types of vehicle operators, including forklift operators, suffer from fatigue, with long shifts and odd working hours. Night shift workers suffer the most from fatigue, as the distractions of trying to sleep during the day, when everyone else is awake, are many. Most people can handle getting too little sleep one night fairly well, but the effects of sleep deprivation night after night are cumulative and can be harmful both physically and emotionally. Many people also work rotating shifts, where the body never gets a chance to adjust to one set schedule, causing problems with sleep patterns. The answer to this problem is likely twofold, consisting of education for your operators and also keeping a close watch out for potentially exhausted workers. If operators can take steps to get more sleep, understand the effects of fatigue on their bodies, and learn to know their limits, it will create a safer working environment for them and others. Supervisors must also be watching for the early signs of drowsy driving and assigning those people to non-driving positions for the rest of the shift, somewhere where the consequences of sleepiness would not be dangerous.

Shoppa's Mid America offers OSHA compliant safety training courses once a month and on-demand at your location. Our certified trainers are also happy to visit your facility and provide a free safety evaluation. Visit our website to learn more, see a schedule of upcoming classes, or to request a training session.

Inspect Your Forks to Prevent Safety Hazards

Forklift forks are the hardest working part of a forklift, yet they are often mistreated and forgotten. As insubstantial as it may seem, neglecting forks could make them dangerous. A simple 10% reduction in blade thickness results in 20% reduction of capacity.

Most operator training manuals and training classes hardly mention the forks, but it is important to provide proper maintenance and inspection of forks to make sure they perform safely and productively. Under normal conditions, forks should be inspected daily by the operator with a visual inspection as well as being professionally inspected every six to twelve months to look for cracks, distortion, blade straightness and wear, among other things.

The best method for a fork inspection is a fork caliper. This adjustable go/no-go device measures four contact points on the shank and blade of the fork. The reading determines the wear of the fork for safety and usefulness.

Forks should not be loaded over the capacity of the forklift. The forklift operator should be aware of the capacity of the forks, since overloading will lead to bending or weakening of the forks. Following these guidelines should help prolong the life of your forks.

Fork repair is not recommended. When forks get broken or damaged, the best thing to do is replace them with new forks in the correct capacity for the model. Never try to weld or modify the forks for repair or adjust the use of the forks, The heat causes the forks to appear normal; however, there is undetectable damage from the heat.

For assistance with your forks, any forklift part or service, contact Shoppa's Mid America today!