Equipment manufacturing engineers will explain forklift best practices to federal and state safety regulators on February 9 at an inaugural regional seminar in Tampa, Florida.

The Industrial Truck Association (ITA), of Washington, DC, USA, is arranging for speakers from four member companies for the day-long seminar, entitled "Forklift Safety: Man, Machine and Environment".

The event aims to educate on-site forklift inspectors and others from the US Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) and relevant state agencies. Topics include an equipment overview, operating environments, training protocols, safety considerations, electric and internal combustion powertrain functions, maintenance and existing regulations.

An ITA spokesperson said changes in technology and operating techniques were not always apparent to government inspectors in their visits to workplaces using forklifts.

Representatives of Raymond Corporation, Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America, Nacco Material Handling Group and Crown Equipment Corporation will make presentations.

ITA may organise similar events in other OSHA regions.