Powered Industrial Truck Safety Driving

Target Audience:

• New and experienced forklift operators
• Warehouse workers
• Construction site personnel
• Logistics and transportation employees
• Anyone required to operate powered industrial trucks as part of their job

1. Course Objectives

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Understand OSHA regulations and workplace safety requirements for powered industrial trucks.
• Identify different types of powered industrial trucks and their specific applications.
• Recognize common hazards and implement safe operating practices.
• Perform pre-operation inspections and identify mechanical issues.
• Demonstrate safe driving, load handling, and maneuvering techniques.
• Understand pedestrian safety, blind spots, and workplace traffic rules.
• Respond appropriately to emergency situations and accidents.

2. Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, participants will be able to:

1. Explain OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178 regulations governing powered industrial trucks.
2. Conduct a proper pre-shift inspection and report safety concerns.
3. Safely operate a powered industrial truck in various workplace settings.
4. Apply correct loading, unloading, and stacking techniques to prevent tip-overs.
5. Demonstrate awareness of pedestrian traffic and site-specific hazards.
6. Perform emergency shutdown procedures and report accidents.
7. Understand and implement safe refueling and battery charging practices.

3. Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Powered Industrial Trucks

• Definition and types of powered industrial trucks (PITs)
• Common workplace applications
• OSHA regulations and compliance requirements

Module 2: Hazard Recognition and Risk Management

• Common PIT hazards (tip-overs, collisions, load instability)
• Pedestrian safety and site traffic management
• Environmental factors affecting safe operation

Module 3: Pre-Operational Inspection & Maintenance

• Daily safety checks (fluid levels, brakes, tires, forks, lights)
• Reporting and addressing mechanical issues
• Proper refueling and battery charging procedures

Module 4: Safe Operation Techniques

• Starting, stopping, and maneuvering techniques
• Load capacity and stability triangle principles
• Handling loads safely (lifting, stacking, and unloading)
• Operating on ramps, inclines, and uneven surfaces

Module 5: Workplace Traffic Rules & Pedestrian Safety

• Right-of-way rules and designated driving lanes
• Blind spots and communication signals
• Safe parking and shutdown procedures

Module 6: Emergency Procedures & Accident Response

• How to respond to PIT-related accidents
• Emergency stopping and shutdown
• Fire hazards and spill containment

Module 7: Hands-On Practical Training & Evaluation

• Conducting pre-use inspections
• Maneuvering exercises in a controlled environment
• Loading and unloading operations
• Final driving test and certification assessment

4. Training Methodology

• Classroom Instruction – Interactive lectures, videos, and case studies on PIT safety.
• Group Discussions – Sharing real-life workplace experiences and problem-solving.
• Hands-on Training – Practical demonstrations and supervised driving exercises.
• Simulations & Scenario-based Training – Emergency response drills and hazard recognition.
• Knowledge Assessment – Written test on PIT safety rules and best practices.
• Performance Evaluation – Practical skill assessment on a powered industrial truck.

5. Certification & Compliance

Upon successful completion, participants will receive:

• Powered Industrial Truck Safety Certificate (valid for three years or per company policy)
• OSHA-compliant training record documentation for employer compliance
• Recommendations for refresher training (as needed)