Action at the 2013 Washington rodeo

Organisers of the Washington state forklift rodeo are accepting entries from certified operators for two regional competitions in June and August.

The regional winners will receive cash prizes ranging from USD50-300, with the top five in each location qualifying to compete in the finals of the state's 17th annual forklift rodeo on 24 September in Spokane in conjunction with the governor's industrial safety and health conference. The top five drivers in the finals will receive from USD100-500.

The preliminary events will be held on 21 June in eastern Washington at the regional readiness centre of the Spokane fire department and on 23 August in western Washington at the space centre of Boeing Co in Kent.

The top two teams in each region will receive awards.

A competitor needs to successfully pass a written exam, be current on training requirements and demonstrate skill, knowledge, safe operation, speed and accuracy in driving a forklift in timed segments on the designated obstacle course.

Al Rainsberger with the Seattle-based Foss Maritime Co and Mark Ribich with the Boeing Co's SGG site services operation in Seattle are principal contacts for the Washington rodeo. They encourage employers to conduct in-house contests and send operators to one of the regional events. The entry fee for each competitor is USD40.

The governor's industrial safety and health advisory board and the Tumwater-based Washington State Department of Labor & Industries will co-sponsor their annual conference on 24-25 September at the Spokane Convention Center.