Educating neophytes to forklift operating challenges and dangers is a goal of the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration's powered industrial truck (PIT) eTool.

Washington-based OSHA launched the free PIT eTool on 30 September and, by 22 October, recorded more than 17,000 visits to the page. No such program existed earlier.

"I see the eTool as a good introduction to powered industrial trucks and the principal safety issues they pose as well as a good reference to the federal regulatory requirements applicable to them," says Gary Cross, a partner with the law firm of Dunaway & Cross and legal counsel for the Washington-based Industrial Truck Association (ITA). "I think it's important to note that the eTool is not a substitute for employee training."

An industry representative on the PIT eTool technical editorial board expresses pride in the collaborative effort, which started in 2006 and involved comment periods in the spring of 2008.

Consortium representatives included forklift manufacturers, equipment end-users and regulators from the OSHA research and training centre in Salt Lake City, Utah, says the representative, Gerald A. Edgar. He is safety team leader in the Ames, Iowa propel-segment facility of Sauer-Danfoss Inc. The firm's manufacturing, distribution and cleaning functions in Ames operate 25 forklifts and produce hydrostatic transmissions and related products to convey power from an engine to the wheel to propel a vehicle.

OSHA points out that tens of thousands of forklift-related injuries occur yearly in US workplaces.

Violations of PIT standard 29 CFR 1910.178 are among the most frequently cited in the agency's inspections. The standard is also one of the most often raised topics in calls to OSHA's 800 number and in email inquiries.

These participants in OSHA's Alliance Program provided eTool feedback: ITA, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the American Forest & Paper Association of Washington and the Pulp and Paper Safety Association Inc of Perry, Florida. In particular, ITA members provided forklift industry expertise during eTool development and supplied numerous photographs that demonstrate key safety points discussed in the text.

The eTool has details about basic forklift types, requirements and practices for operating forklifts, relevant forklift-related workplace conditions and operator training.

OSHA wants the PIT eTool to help employers comply with the standard and train forklift operators in safe procedures.