vinko:

California is a state plan state which promulgates its own OSHA regulations. The program is administered by the California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH). DOSH is better known by its old name of Cal/OSHA. You should first obtain a copy of the California regulations that apply to forklift operation and use these regulations as your guide for forklift compliance.

Google: dir.ca.gov/Title8/sb7g4a25.html (or) Google: General Industry Safety Orders, Article 25. Industrial Trucks. These links will let you download: Subchapter 7. General Industry Safety Orders; Group 4. General Mobile Equipment and Auxiliaries' Article 25. Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Haulage Vehicles, and Earthmoving Equipment. These are the California forklift regulations.

California requires that operating rules for industrial trucks be posted:"§3664. Operating Rules. Workplace postings (a) Every employer using industrial trucks or industrial tow tractors shall post and enforce a set of operating rules including the appropriate rules listed in Section 3650(t)."

California provides the required posters for free. They can be downloaded in both English and Spanish. Google: dir.ca.gov/wpnodb.html (or) Google: California Department of Industrial Relations - Workplace Postings. Once on the workplace postings page, scroll down the postings column to "Operating Rules for Industrial Trucks".

I recommend you post. as required, and print a poster for each forklift operator and all managers and supervisors. Use the poster for five minute safety talks until all rules are covered or use for a general training session. Supervisors and managers need this information as well as forklift operators as the rules must be enforced. I also recommend you document all training (names, dates, what was covered, who conducted the training, etc.)

I recommend you have readily available the operator/safety manuals for the two 1980's Toyota forklifts to comply with California §3668, Powered Industrial Truck Operator Training, (c) Training program content. Powered industrial truck operators shall receive initial training in the following topics, except in topics which the employer can demonstrate are not applicable to the safe operation of the truck in the employer's workplace. (1) Truck-related topics: (M) Any other operating instructions, warnings, or precautions listed in the operator's manual for the types of vehicle that the employee is being trained to operate.

Films/videos may be available from your local library through an inter-library loan program. Talk with your local librarian. Network with your business neighbors and firms you do business with (including trucking companies). Contact your local Chamber of Commerce, Safety Council, or other business organizations. Contact the safety office of your local community college/university. Contact your local government occupational safety person. Many copies of forklift videos are out there collecting dust. You should be able to find a source willing to share the media with you either for free or at a nominal charge.

Films/videos, however, are not considered the total training program. Your forklift operator certification program must comply with California §3668. Powered Industrial Truck Operator Training, especially, (a) Safe Operation. (3) Training shall consist of a combination of formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written material), practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee) and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace."