John, I tend to agree with you. Especially about the less trucks being operated. But I've seen companies using more temporary employees vs hiring permanent in my area. This creates less experienced operators. But it allows companies to not pay benefits. They can let someone go without threat of repercussions. And not keep up with their safety training, it's the Temp Service that they work for that this falls back on. But I try to explain to my customers that it's their work place, their equipment & ultimately their responsibility to make sure the people operating their equipment are qualified & trained.

We do have a branch south of Atlanta. But from 1988- 1997 I was a Field Service Mechanic out of our Anniston, AL. branch. I transferred to our Tuscaloosa, AL. branch in Sept. of 1997 as a Product Support Rep. We didn't buy out Gregory Poole in Georgia until 1999.

But I have been to the factory numerous times, if you're speaking of MCFA.

Budman, Agree with your four comments but I would add a couple other factors that would have an impact that are related to this"long time" economic slow down.
1. Less forklifts are in use every day (compared to 2008 & prior years) - many are parked by the customers or the guy who FMV'd 20 trucks in 2005, leased a lesser number of lifts at the time of lease expiration (if they didn't lock the doors)
2. Businesses are requesting less "temporary" & usually" less experienced" drivers.

Just food for thought.

Question: Does your dealership also have a branch on the south side of Atlanta? If so, I believe we have met in Houston, TX sometime during 1992 to 1996.

I do feel that there are several factors that play into these reductions.
1) OSHA's new standard from 1999 29CFR 1910.178 giving a standard criterea to be met for Safety Training
2) Heightened aware by owner & manufacturers for safety in the work place.
3) A large push by Dealers & Manufacturers to get everyone trained after the updated standard was released in 1999
4) Safer equipment being manufactured today

Add all of these together and you should have a steep decline in accidents.

Joseph, thank you for the data and link from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Has any government or private entity determined the CAUSES of these reductions, aside from the general statements I've heard about "fewer workers" or the "1999 OSHA P.I.T training rule 1910.178(l)"?

I think if we can determine the causes of the sharp decline in fatalities, perhaps we can leverage those that are not beyond our control.

Thanks, again,

Joe_m

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