Powered Industrial Trucks (PITs)
Powered industrial trucks (PITs), commonly called forklifts or lift trucks, are used in many industries, primarily to move materials.
They can also be used to raise, lower, or remove large objects or a number of smaller objects on pallets or in boxes, crates, or other containers. PITs can either be ridden by the operator or controlled by a walking operator. Over-the-road haulage trucks and earth-moving equipment that has been modified to accept forks are not considered powered industrial trucks.
Hazards Associated with operating PITs
There are many types of PITs. Each type presents different operating hazards. For example, a sit-down, counterbalanced high-lift rider truck is more likely than a motorized hand truck to be involved in a falling load accident because the sit-down rider truck can lift a load much higher than a hand truck.
Operator actions and workplace conditions are also unique "surface cause" factors in hazards commonly associated with powered industrial trucks. For example a worker may:
- drive their forklift off a loading dock;
- be struck by another lift truck in a busy warehouse; or
- tip a forklift over while driving with the loaded elevated forks.
Ultimately, lack of proper training on PIT safety and operation is the major safety management system weakness, or "root cause," factor for the accidents described above. Operator accountability is also an important factor in preventing PIT accidents. Remember, OSHA will always observe and evaluate PIT operations during their inspections because a lack of safe PIT operation is common in the workplace.
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6-7. What is a major "root cause" of forklift accidents?
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