Discussion:
Pregnant forklift operators

I'm looking advice, documentation, rulings , laws etc.... concerning pregnant forklift operators. Is it safe for a pregnant person to operate forklifts? Is it discriminatory to not allow them to operate forklifts? At what point if ever is it unsafe to allow a pregnant person to operate a forklift? Any help/advice will be appreciated.
  • Posted 10 Apr 2009 05:06
  • By cownd
  • joined 18 Feb'06 - 189 messages
  • Arizona, United States
orchidlane29@gmail.com
Showing items 1 - 3 of 3 results.
The effects of body vibration are talked about in this page.
H TeeTeePee://homepages.cambrianc.on.ca/johs/pages/BodyVib1.htm
  • Posted 23 Apr 2009 08:45
  • By TradeShowDave
  • joined 14 Mar'09 - 48 messages
  • California, United States
According to OSHA 1910.178(l) - Questions and Answers (Appendix A)...
___________________________________________________________
#2)
Can an employee with poor vision in one eye or a hearing impairment be allowed to operate a powered industrial truck?

The employer has the responsibility under this training standard to ensure that each operator is capable of performing the duties that are required of the job.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) addresses the issue of whether employers may impose physical qualifications upon employees or applicants for employment. The ADA permits employers to adopt medical qualification requirements necessary to ensure that an individual does not pose a "direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace," provided all reasonable efforts are made to accommodate otherwise qualified individuals. The employer should consult with appropriate medical personnel to assist in determining operator physical qualifications.
____________________________________________________________

In addition, the General Duty Clause suggests that if there is physical harm to the pregnant operator (or baby), then you would have support to remove the operator from the forklift:
__________________________________________________________
"Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act requires an employer to furnish to its employees:
employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees...."
  • Posted 17 Apr 2009 04:09
  • By JohnW
  • joined 21 Mar'09 - 2 messages
  • California, United States
This could be a touchy subject. Have not heard of this issue coming up but I haven't heard it all yet. But I might suggest that a monthly or more often letter from her OBGYN doctor (s) saying it is OK would be a starting point.
  • Posted 10 Apr 2009 19:22
  • By johnr_j
  • joined 3 Jun'06 - 1,452 messages
  • Georgia, United States
"Have An Exceptional Day!"

Post your Reply

Forkliftaction accepts no responsibility for forum content and requires forum participants to adhere to our rules of conduct. Click here for more information.

If you are having trouble using the Discussion Forums, please contact us for help.

PREMIUM business

MAXAM Tire, Inc.
Simplify your productivity with MAXAM's range of performance material handling tires, designed with the latest EcoPoint3 technology.
Global Industry News
edition #1252 - 16 October 2025
In this week’s Forkliftaction News , we report on the GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index which shows Asian supply chains are at their busiest since June 2022 while the US and Europe’s supply chains remain under-utilised. One of the report authors describes the situation as being “as stable as it’s going to get”... Continue reading
Fact of the week
Brussels Airport in Belgium, Europe is the world's largest sales point for chocolate, with over 800 tonnes of chocolate sold annually. This averages out to about 1.5 kilograms sold every minute.
Crown WP302020
Braeside, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Hire
Taylor T650L
Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, United States
Used - Sale & Hire
Editorial calendar - planned features
CONSTRUCTION FORKLIFTS
HANDLING GOODS IN THE COLD
LOADING/UNLOADING FREIGHT
BROWNFIELD AUTOMATION
FORKLIFT ATTACHMENTS
BATTERY AFFORDABILITY AND LIFETIME
FORKLIFT SAFETY
Upcoming industry events …
November 11, 2025 - Sydney, Australia
November 26-27, 2025 - Budapest, Hungary
May 20-22, 2026 - Jakarta, Indonesia
Movers & Shakers
Jim Tompkins Jim Tompkins
Chairman of the board, Tompkins Solutions
Director of government affairs, Associated Equipment Distributors
National dealer development manager, Castle Equipment Company
Sales operations, Heli