Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Forklift Truck Driver


Forklift Truck Driver

By Freddy M. Jones




A forklift truck is a lift truck or trailer loader or a side loader, which is a powerful industrial truck that lifts and transports industrial materials. But using a forklift truck requires proper and appropriate training. Safety accessories are quite inevitable for the handling operation of modern materials and should always be kept in mind when operating a forklift truck. Now for these safety precautions, one should undergo proper training. For example, only a proper training can make you learn what you have to do while installing seat belts.


The operators of the forklift trucks and vehicles have to fulfill certain criteria before allowed to operate forklift truck legally for both personal and commercial use. Besides proper training, a forklift truck operator also requires a standard state driver's license issued by the DMV. Provides the proper training that the forklift truck operators require for safe and proper handling.


The guidelines set by the OSHA or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration say that it is mandatory for each operator to understand the forklift truck safety purposes while under training. The basic purpose of this training is to ensure that the forklift truck operators are able to operate the heavy machine without being a danger to others or themselves. Besides fulfilling the legal criteria, forklift truck training also prevents injuries from accidents, reduces the wasted materials from mishaps and eliminates money and time wasted due to these mishaps.


At present, 1% of all the accidents happening within the factory premises involve electric forklift truck. But this 1% accident accounts for 10% of all physical injuries that happen to the forklift truck operators. The training for forklift truck handling can help you to prevent these accidents. Some important ways are mentioned below.

  • Limiting the speeds: - The main reason for limiting the speed is that the forklifts cannot stop instantly if any urgency occurs.
  • Warning equipment: - The forklift truck must be fitted with a system of horns and the driver should have a complete idea of monitoring the direction he is heading towards.



Most Classes provide all such techniques and handling guides that are required for operating the heavy machineries like forklift truck. When a new forklift truck is being purchased or a used one is acquired, the questions that arise in the mind are regarding the insurance, training and most importantly, the required license.



A common question regarding the licensing requirement is whether each person driving the unit will require a proper driver's license issued by the state authority. If the forklift truck remains confines to moving load on private property, it doesn't need any licensing by the state. Most Companies provide solutions regarding the licensing of forklift truck in the most efficient manner.


As a matter of fact, getting a license or a ticket to operate and drive a forklift truck is not very complicated. After the completion of these procedures only, you will get be certified for driving a forklift truck and get the needed license. If you are applying for a job that involves forklift truck driving, chances are that your employer helps you get the training and get the license.


For a license to drive a forklift truck you must be at least 18 years of age and the best way of the process is going through the safety and training program of OSHA. If OSHA approves your training and knowledge, which means you know everything the way you need to know. OSHA makes sure that you understand and have a clear idea about the forklift operations and then issues the license.


You can clearly see that obtaining a forklift truck license is not that tough. If you are looking for a forklift truck-driving job, you can acquire the license before or after applying for the job. Most companies can help you with your training and licensing requirements. We have helped so many forklift truck drivers with their licensing and legal affairs and our list of customers is a live testimony of our services. We make sure that your training is as per the requirements of OSHA and the license is also according to the state authorities.


Tuesday, August 4, 2009

OSHA PSM Audit List


OSHA PSM Audit List

By Sandra Noble


Avoid a visit from the OSHA police. Learning the rules and doing self-evaluations will help employers stay on the right side of the law. As well as having a healthier, safer, workplace. Employers are directed to set up Process Safety Management (PSM) procedures. To avoid penalties, employers must pass OSHA audits and inspections.


Industries

If the business is in one of these industries:

* Aerospace & Defense

* Agricultural chemicals

* Ammonia refrigeration

* Automotive

* Batch process industries

* Coal mining

* Construction

* Electronics & semiconductor manufacturing

* Engineering companies

* Food processing

* Municipal water treatment

* Oil and gas production and pipelines

* Organic & inorganic chemicals

* Paints, coatings, resins and adhesives

* Petrochemicals

* Petroleum refining

* Pharmaceuticals & specialty chemicals

* Polymers and resins

* Propane storage and distribution

* Pulp and paper

* Rubber and plastics

* Ship Building

Processes

And one of the following applies:

* Concrete and masonry

* Confined space

* Cranes and riggings

* Electrical hazard/safety

* Fall prevention

* Fire prevention

* Forklift

* Gases, vapors, fume

* Hand and power tools use and guarding / safety

* Hazardous materials and chemical

* Hazardous waste

* Illumination

* Iodizing and non-iodizing radiation

* Material handling

* Motorized mobile platforms

* Noise exposure

* Personal protective equipment

* Sanitation

* Scaffolding

* Signs signals barricades

* Stairs and ladders

* Steel erection (Subpart R regulation)

* Trenching and Excavations

* Ventilation

* Welding and hot work

* Workplace traffic


Compliance

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provide standards to ensure the health and safety of workers and perform inspections to enforce compliance with those standards. To support compliance, OSHA offers Process Safety Management (PSM) guidelines. Employers need to know about these OSHA compliance areas:

* Pre-startup Safety Review-Verifies the he construction, equipment and processes of a new facility.

* Mechanical Integrity-Mandates written procedures for the safe operation gritty of process equipment.

* Hot Work-Ensures that the proper permits are issued for welding and hot work operations.

* Management of Change-Again, there is a requirement for written procedures to manage changes except "replacements in kind" to facilities that affect a covered process.

* Incident Investigation-Requires prompt investigation of incidents, which did result or could reasonably have resulted in catastrophic releases of covered chemicals.

* Emergency Planning and Response- Compels employers to develop and implement an emergency action plan.

* Disclosure-Sets requires employers to make PSM information available to employees.

* Compliance Audits-Stipulates that employers must self audit and verify compliance with process safety requirements at least every three years.

A self-audit may avert an OSHA compliance inspection. Smart businesses will plan these periodic self-assessments and audits for PSM compliance.


Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Benefits of a Gas Forklift


Benefits of a Gas Forklift

By F. Jones


Gas forklifts have become very popular and this is because of the huge demand of people to get it for their work. You can go for buying used forklift if you do not want to burn a hole in your pocket purchasing a new one as it costs a bit high. It depends on your type of work for which you are going to buy your forklift truck. There are lots of forklift dealer where you can go for buying new forklift as well as old ones for you. But it is very important that you go for a good research when you go for buying either gas forklift or any other used or new forklift. Well, there are people who go for forklift rental as well. There are some benefits of a gas forklift. But even if you go for purchasing other types of forklifts, then you can enjoy advantages too there.


Success of gas forklift

The main secret behind the success of gas forklift is that it emits very low noise when you operate it. It also helps in reducing emission of carbon monoxide when you go for comparing with propane forklifts. There are also many safety benefits that are associated with gas forklift. So, these are some of the important reasons of the benefits of a gas forklift. When it comes to the price of a gas forklift, it provides cost savings to all the customers who are looking forward to buy it. Also, when a person goes for gas forklifts, he would not have to worry anything about the electricity costs, as it has nothing to do with electricity unlike electric forklift. In other words, it provides cost effective solutions when you go for purchasing gas forklifts.


Check the forklift well

As already mentioned, you need to be much focused when it comes to buying gas forklift. There are many forklift dealers that might raise the price when you go for looking to purchase it. If you go for purchasing used gas forklifts then you need to consider on different options. You should check how old the forklift is and also have a test drive before you go for purchasing it.