NEWS

It’s a new year, which means new changes are on the horizon, specifically for safety regulations regarding used forklifts and equipment. Each year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Department of Labor review safety guidelines and update them to meet the physical demands of the job. These are some of the most important safety and regulations updates for 2018.

1) Raised Penalties

To match high inflation costs, OSHA has raised the price of penalties for violation of OSHA regulations. The amount of these hefty fines will depend on the state you are in and which regulations. Some states don’t have a plan for this kind of thing, meaning the fine you receive will depend on OSHA and the regulation you violated. In these states, OSHA controls inspections and assesses fines. Other states have a full plan in place, giving them control over inspections and outreach, but will still need to match the fine amounts set by OSHA. Lastly, some have partial plans in place, which gives companies control over the public sector but not the private sector.

2) Changes in 2017

Last year brought a world of change for the forklift industry. Some key changes happened with the standards we hold our operator testing to. First, of the 22 elements listed for pre-use inspection, 13 of them have been made safety critical. Second, operators won’t pass if they miss one of the five theory questions or if they miss more than three five-point penalties in a given test area. These new changes will ensure operators safely use forklifts, reducing the number of accidents on the job—70 percent of which arise because of operating forklifts incorrectly.

3) Much Stayed the Same

While there were some major changes in the industry, many of the fundamentals stayed the same. These include knowing the different types of forklifts and how to operate them, perform daily inspections and test the horn, lights, steering wheel, and brakes during the inspection, check for leaks, and make sure large objects are kept out of the usual paths of forklifts in your facility. It’s also a good idea to ensure the ground has no major cracks or bumps, so that forklifts can drive through smoothly. These safety standards are reviewed and improved upon each year, but some of the best practices, ones that have kept warehouses and construction sites safe often stay the same to maintain that same level of safety.

Used Forklifts from FMI Trading LLC

If you’re in the market for more forklifts for your warehouse or construction company, we can help. We carry a variety of used forklifts in our inventory from some of the best brands on the market. Contact us to learn more today!