Hi Joe - thank you for your input.

In relation to the tilt positioning of the forks unladen and laden.
UK training standards, instructional techniques and the safe practices we employ are quite clear with this. I have already referenced the standards we follow and who sets them. No made up S*** required and certainly no re-inventing of any wheel.

There are no deviations from the basic and fundamental methods we use and practice. The positioning of the forks is a fundamental method and safe practice we teach and is standard throughout the FLT training industry here. It may not be liked by some but that is the way it is.

Un-laden = Forks raised clear of the ground sufficient for the working environment with forks tilted backwards. The reasoning for this has been explained.

Laden = Forks and load raised clear of the ground sufficient for the working environment with sufficient stabilising back tilt to support and stabilise the load and the truck.

These techniques are very clear during training and testing and are subsequently re-enforced during refresher training every 3 to 5 years. Refresher training is specifically designed to bring all operators back to the safe practices taught and iron out any unsafe practices and bad habits gained, such as positioning of forks. We test both practically and theoretically on this specific issue and faults/points are awarded on a test for incorrect safe practice and incorrect answers. No ambiguity whatsoever.

This method cannot be altered by the wishes or insistence of a customer, business or individual, regardless of who they are, how big they are or how good/bad there safety record is.

That is the position here in the UK and it is quite clear.

Given that there appears to be so much said here about the need for statistics and independently verifiable statistics, and wanting to hold you to your own standard of evidence, what is the current recognised safe practice in the USA (OSHA) for positioning of the forks, if any, and what independently verifiable statistics have been used to determine that positioning?

Seems to be an inconsistency in opinion amongst instructor and tech guys on this and in this thread.
Cheers
Jonah