FORKLIFT SAFETY WILL BE A HOT TOPIC on Capitol Hill
again this spring. On June 14, members of the Industrial
Truck Association (ITA) and others will take part in
the organization’s third annual National Forklift Safety
Day (NFSD). This event provides an opportunity for the
industry to educate customers,
the public, and government
officials about the safe use of
forklifts and the importance of
proper operator training.
Safety is one of Washington,
D.C.-based ITA’s biggest priorities. The organization, which
represents manufacturers of
lift trucks, tow tractors, pallet
trucks, and automated guided
vehicles in North America, promotes international standards
for product safety, advances
engineering and safety practices, and offers free safety seminars for OSHA personnel. ITA
also disseminates statistical
information and holds industry
forums.
ITA says it hopes National Forklift Safety Day will
provide greater awareness of safe practices as well as
encourage safer behavior in warehouses, distribution
centers, and manufacturing plants. That’s a laudable
goal and something that directly affects every environment where forklifts are in use.
To learn more about the event, we spoke with
James J. Radous III, president of forklift manufacturer
UniCarriers Americas Corp. and the National Forklift
Safety Day 2016 chair. Here’s what he had to say.
Q: WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF NATIONAL FORKLIFT
SAFETY DAY?
A: You asked about NFSD’s purpose, but we think of
it more as a mission. That mission is to reduce forklift
accidents and to improve operator training. One key
to improved operator training,
of course, is to increase the
awareness of its importance.
This year, we expanded the
scope to include pedestrian
awareness as well.
According to the U.S. Bureau
of Labor Statistics, in a four-year period including 2011 to
2014, 261 workers were killed
in industrial truck accidents
where the industrial truck
was identified as the primary
cause. Accidents and injuries,
including fatalities, have been
declining, but we need to keep
driving those numbers down,
because losing even one person is a tragedy.
Of course, we want organizations to focus on safety every day, not just on National
Forklift Safety Day, but it’s good to have a special day to
highlight the issue. We’re not just discussing this among
ourselves within the industry, by the way. We also talk
to national policymakers, and we were successful in
getting a number of states to pass National Forklift
Safety Day resolutions last year.
Q: WHAT ACTIVITIES WILL THE JUNE 14 EVENT IN
WASHINGTON INCLUDE?
FOCUS ON FORKLIFT SAFETY
DC VELOCITY talks with National Forklift Safety Day 2016 Chair
Jim Radous about the goals of the third annual safety-focused event
sponsored by the Industrial Truck Association.
NATIONAL FORKLIFT
SAFETY DAY
SPECIAL SECTION
