Important Components of a Powered Equipment Program
A quality powered equipment program has many different components, without each one, the program fails, not just from a regulatory aspect, but more importantly from a safety standpoint.
The foundation of a quality powered industrial vehicle program is started with a quality policy. An excellent policy should be broad based, covering all known and potential hazards in the workplace associated with powered equipment operation, each section should lead to a small policy, which drills down to specifics.
Knowing each component to have addressed in a broad and specific policy is of utmost importance.
In general industry, OSHA has specific requirements for powered equipment:
Training requirements powered equipment operation under OSHA regulations:
The OSHA standard requires employers to design and administer a training program based on the principles of safe vehicle operation, the types of vehicle(s) being used in the workplace, the hazards of the workplace created by the use of the vehicle(s), and the general safety requirements of the OSHA standard.
Formal (lecture, video, etc.) and practical (demonstration and practical exercises) training must be provided. Trained equipment operators must know how to do the job correctly and safely as demonstrated by evaluation. Employers must also certify that each operator has received the training and evaluate each operator at least once every three years.
Refresher training is needed whenever an operator demonstrates a deficiency in the safe operation of the truck.
I offer a classroom presentation style training for powered equipment operation here.
There is also the requirement for an observation, which should be documented.
Download the Operator Evaluation Form below:
Now that you have a quality training program, to supplement a best in class policy, it is also important that your employees know how to conduct daily inspections of the equipment.
OSHA does not mandate that the inspections be documented, but by documenting the inspections, it helps ensure that employees check the equipment for safe operation.
Download the Daily Checklist for Battery Powered Equipment below:
Download the Daily Checklist for Propane Powered Industrial Vehicles below:
I also have inspection books in multiple sizes and formats for various pieces of powered equipment for sale on Amazon, check out the options available here
If your facility utilizes powered industrial vehicles that are battery powered, properly training employees on safe operation of charging and servicing the batteries is an important component of a safe powered industrial vehicle program.
Download the Powered Equipment Battery Charging Policy below:
If your facility uses powered industrial vehicles that are propane powered, ensure your employees know how to change the cylinders safely.
Download the Propane Cylinder Changing Guide below:
These forms are meant to supplement a quality powered equipment policy, and should be integrated into the total employee powered equipment training for the equipment.