National Forklift Safety Day event to emphasize training

Washington — A panel of safety experts and industry and government representatives will talk about training, proper forklift operation and maintenance June 8 as part of a free, virtual National Forklift Safety Day program organized by the Industrial Truck Association and DC Velocity.

In 2019, incidents involving forklifts accounted for 79 fatal on-the-job injuries and 8,140 nonfatal injuries requiring days away from work, according to Injury Facts – a National Safety Council database.

In fiscal year 2020, OSHA’s standard on powered industrial trucks (1910.178) was the seventh most cited standard, with two of the top three sections cited within the standard pertaining to operator training.

“We understand there is a critical need for effective forklift operator training,” ITA President Brian Feehan said in a press release, “and ITA’s National Forklift Safety Day is meant to keep that discussion at the forefront year after year.”

Feehan is among a scheduled group of speakers that includes Joseph “Chip” Hughes, OSHA’s deputy assistant secretary for pandemic and emergency response, and Mike Field, chair of the NFSD task force.