Material Handling Industry Supports National Forklift Safety Day

National Forklift Safety Day, sponsored by the Industrial Truck Association, was marked by the material handling industry on Tuesday 14 June 2016.

The day serves as a focal point for manufacturers to highlight the safe use of forklifts and the importance of operator training. This special day provides an opportunity for the industry to educate customers, the public, and government officials about safe forklift operation.

Forklifts, which are the most common type of powered industrial truck, originated in the United States in 1917. Since then, annual U.S. sales have grown to more than 190,000 units. Forklifts are used to lift, move and place materials throughout our economy, offering load capacities from a few thousand pounds up to 90 tons. They are extremely versatile machines and operate in a wide range of indoor and outdoor environments. A well-maintained forklift operated by a well-trained worker is critical to the country’s $165 billion material handling industry.

Forklift companies contributed in a variety of ways. Chris Murtha, brand manager at Yale, said: “National Forklift Safety Day has established itself as a tremendous opportunity to emphasize the importance of safe forklift operation and reconvene with regulatory and other industry leaders each year.”

Photo: Industrial Truck Association

Lorri Lewis, brand manager at Hyster, said: “According to the National Safety Council, operator error accounts for 70% of forklift accidents, and according to OSHA, this number can be reduced by 30% with effective training. These statistics make safety and training measures critical for the materials handling industry, which is why National Forklift Safety Day is so important. At Hyster, reducing accidents and injury rates is a priority. We weave safety into everything we do—from product design and development, to manufacturing process, maintenance and training, safety is a core principle.”