Forklifts and Aerial Lifts
The Forklift Program was established to ensure the safety of powered industrial truck operators and comply with the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard on Powered Industrial Trucks, 29 CFR 1910.178.
The Aerial Lift Program documents the requirements outlined in the OSHA regulation under Subpart F (Powered Platforms and Manlifts). Specifically, the plan covers powered platforms for building maintenance, 29 CFR 1910.66; vehicle-mounted elevating and rotating work platforms, 29 CFR 1910.67; and manlifts, 29 CFR 1910.68.
Department Heads must hold appropriate supervisors accountable for the responsibilities outlined within the programs.
Supervisors must certify that operators of forklifts and aerial lifts are competent to operate the equipment safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation outlined in the SOP. Supervisors must also provide refresher training as required by the SOP, evaluate each operator’s performance every three years, and hold operators accountable for safe operation of the equipment.
EHS will assist with initial training, refresher training, and evaluations of operators, and update the SOPs as needed.
Trainers will conduct training as required by OSHA standards, evaluate operator competence, and provide certificates to the operators. The certificates will include their name, training date, evaluation date, and the trainer/evaluator’s name.
Employees who operate forklifts or aerial lifts will attend initial and refresher training sessions as needed, follow safe operating procedures, and inform their supervisor of accidents, near-misses, and/or problems with any forklift or aerial lift.
Operator Manuals for college-owned forklifts and aerial lifts should be reviewed by supervisors and employees on a regular basis, and manuals must be accessible on the equipment during operation.