The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is requesting information as it considers rulemaking to update the powered industrial trucks standards for the general, maritime and construction industries, according to www.osha.gov. The standards took effect in 1971 and were based on industry consensus standards from 1969. Since then, national consensus standards have been updated several times.
OSHA is requesting information regarding the types, age and use of powered industrial trucks; maintenance and retrofitting; how to regulate older powered industrial trucks; types of accidents and injuries associated with operating these machines; costs and benefits of retrofitting the machines with safety features; and other components of a safety program. OSHA will use the information received to determine the action—if any—it may take to reduce regulatory burdens and create jobs while improving worker safety.
Comments must be submitted by June 10. Comments and materials can be submitted electronically at www.regulations.gov, the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal, or by facsimile or mail. See the Federal Register notice for submission details.
Powered industrial trucks include forklifts, fork trucks, tractors, platform lift trucks, motorized hand trucks and other specialized industrial trucks powered by an electrical motor or internal combustion engine.
