Business owners usually do well in training and certifying their employees to operate heavy-duty equipment such as forklifts, but sometimes the smaller equipment such as dock levelers, loading dock equipment, and lift tables often fall by the wayside in regard to adequate training.
The reasons given are various for this oversight; managers working under shoestring budgets, lack of knowledge of the business owner, and sometimes the equipment itself doesn’t seem to look as dangerous as a huge forklift might to the casual observer.
Employer Responsibilities under the OSHA Act
Adequate safety measures apply to all equipment at the warehouse, and it is the employer’s responsibility to provide a workplace that is free from recognized hazards, and to comply with rules, regulations and standards, issued under the OSH Act. Employers must perform a risk assessment of their equipment to contain various hazards and should keep in mind that this is not a one-person job.
Scissor Lift Kills Student at Notre Dame
According to OSHA, the fatal injury rate for the warehouse industry is higher than the national average from ALL industries. One fatality involving a scissor lift reported by the Department of Labor does not involve a warehouse worker, but the actions taken by OSHA after the event resonated in all industries, including warehouse facilities. The fatal accident at Notre Dame University happened to an employee during the 2010 college football season.
The employee, who was using a heavy-duty scissor lift to film a football practice session, was never properly trained on the lift and its proper use. He proceeded to climb on the scissor lift and extended it over its recommended height of 39 feet into the air. High wind gusts blew the lift over, killing him in the process.
Dock Equipment can Cause Severe Injuries
Forklifts and other powered industrial trucks are indispensable in many companies. They are rugged, powerful tools that save time, money and effort. But the same qualities that make them so helpful can also make them dangerous. Using powered industrial trucks results in over 100 fatalities and over 35,000 serious injuries each year. When used incorrectly, or if forklifts and other trucks are not properly maintained, they can do significant damage.
Dock loading equipment and dock levelers can often cause warehouse injuries. One common injury encountered in this industry is dock shock, and it can cause long-term neck and back injuries. This shock occurs when a lift truck driver is jarred when crossing over from the warehouse floor to the trailer bed. The vibration encountered is due to gaps and bumps that exist on certain types of dock levelers.
Overcoming Warehouse Safety Hazards
Working safely with warehouse equipment is a fundamental prerequisite for anyone looking to utilize the versatile power they possess. Used correctly, they can pass on labor and cost savings while preventing injuries at the same time.
Here are some of the recommended golden safety rules to follow to prevent any associated hazards:
Scissor Lifts
Allow only well trained and capable workers to use the scissor lift equipment.
Don’t load the scissor lift beyond its weight capacity–strictly adhere to the weight rating of the device.
Ensure there is a 10-foot clearance from electrical power sources or any obstructions at that height.
Never tamper with any of the safety features on the device.
Dock Loading and Leveling Equipment
Use mechanical fall-safe legs to keep the truck trailer from pulling away from the dock prematurely. The device comes with a manual means of deactivation should the dock leveler require below access level.
Ensure pit-mounted levelers are used for demanding cross-dock operations. They have a better service range and greater adaptability than over edge-of-dock levelers.
Use a smooth transition dock levelers to cut down on associated jarring shocks to forklift drivers that load trucks.
All of the equipment discussed here should always be periodically inspected, maintained, and tested according to the recommendations of the manufacturer–this also applies to any supporting personal protective equipment (PPE) used with this equipment.
The forklift compliance kit contains all of our forklift training materials. That’s everything you need to successfully train your forklift operators on General Industry or Construction, in English or Spanish! These four-video sets or DVDs cover each OSHA regulation, including training, operation, loading, pre-operation inspection, and refueling/recharging of forklifts. Step-by-step training instructions in addition to real-world examples, practice drills, and review questions ensure that your employees will receive the comprehensive training they need. Further guidance in the Trainer’s Instruction Manual, including references to OSHA regulations, ensures that your trainer is well-prepared. Training completion certificates and operator wallet cards are also included with this program.
Free Safety Consultations Available
Since safety in the warehouse is often difficult to implement for a small business on their own, OSHA provides a free on-site consultation for small business owners who want to create a safety program or improve their health and safety management systems.
You can visit OSHA’s Website for more information about the free consultation. Additionally, local OSHA offices also can direct you to a local OSHA Outreach Instructor, who can provide you with the important resources and information you need.
The vast majority of injuries related to scissor lifts and dock levelers and loading dock equipment can almost always be traced back to the failure of the worker to follow the basic, but essential safety precautions and rules that have been put in place. Safety is always a smart choice and should be incorporated in all aspects of daily operations and all equipment use at the warehouse.
OSHA Industrial Forklift Safety
3 – 3½ Hours
$60 – $90 per student
(Price calculated by class size, location, number of topics combined)
3 Year Certification
Includes Student Handbook & ACT Pen
Get an online quote for Group Forklift Safety Training