An Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) council has developed a rough-terrain forklift decal that indicates only certified employees may operate the machine.

The decal says Employer-Certified Operators ONLY and carries the approval of the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

AEM's rough-terrain forklift council carried the project forward within an AEM/OSHA alliance promoting jobsite safety. The artwork is available at no charge through the AEM store

The Milwaukee-based international trade group for the off-road equipment manufacturing industry has more than 800 member companies that collectively handle in excess of 200 product lines.

"AEM and its member manufacturers are committed to fostering safe equipment operation and we have worked closely with OSHA for many years towards this end," says Dennis Slater, AEM president. "This alliance (established with OSHA in October 2007) is an example of our industry's pro-active education and training efforts."

The alliance targets rough-terrain forklifts including telehandlers and straight-mast forklifts and focuses on potential operating hazards such as ground conditions, machine mobility, overloading and use in lifting personnel.

AEM says the machines were chosen because they are found on nearly all types of construction worksites and because owners and operators do not always follow OSHA training requirements for the machines.