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OSHA seeks info, comments on powered industrial trucks

Any potential rulemaking would be years away from finalization

Posted March 11, 2019

As part of OSHA’s process to determine whether or not to initiate rulemaking to revise the powered industrial trucks (PITs) standards for general, maritime, and construction industries, the Agency has published a request for information (RFI) seeking public comments on what aspects of the standards are effective as well as those that may be outdated, inefficient, unnecessary, or overly burdensome, and how those provisions might be repealed, replaced, or modified while maintaining or improving worker safety.

OSHA seeks information regarding:

  • The types, age, and usage of PITs;
  • Maintenance and retrofitting of PITs;
  • How to regulate older PITs;
  • The types of accidents and injuries associated with operation of PITs;
  • The costs and benefits of retrofitting PITs with safety features; and
  • The costs and benefits of all other components of a safety program.

OSHA says it also is interested in understanding whether the differences between the standards for maritime, construction, and general industry are appropriate and effective for each specific industrial sector.

While the RFI contains specific questions to facilitate responses, OSHA says commenters may supply other pertinent information.

The term “powered industrial truck” includes what are commonly termed forklifts, but it also includes all fork trucks, tractors, platform lift trucks, motorized hand trucks, and other specialized industrial trucks powered by an electric motor or an internal combustion engine.

Comments will be accepted for 90 days following publication in the Federal Register. Search for Docket No. OSHA-2018-0008 at the Federal eRulemaking Portal.

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