ASA Will Comment on OSHA Forklift Proposed Rule

On February 16, 2022, OSHA issued a proposed rule updating the design and construction requirements of the powered industrial trucks (forklifts) standards for general industry and construction by incorporating by reference the applicable provisions of the most relevant national consensus standards.  ASA, along with the Construction Industry Safety Coalition (CISC), intends on submitting comments to the proposed rule.

This proposed rule is not likely controversial, as it focuses on updating the requirements so forklifts are: 1) equipped with overhead guards; and 2) designed and constructed to the latest ANSI standards; and the compliance burden will likely be on the forklift manufacturers.  However, it appears as though the proposal has an alternative for powered industrial trucks manufactured in accordance with future versions of ANSI/ITSDF B56 standards or non ANSI standards, and we believe there may be enforcement concerns with this approach.  In a separate regulatory action (timeframe undetermined at this time), OSHA is collecting information to evaluate the need to update requirements related to the maintenance and use of powered industrial trucks and training of operators.