Conflict about seatbelt safety standards for forklift operators is boiling between business owners and the Washington-based Industrial Truck Association (ITA).

Under pressure from business, the US Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) released a draft in September that proposed softening current requirements if four standards were met: the forklift operated in a clean, flat workplace, had been properly maintained, followed safe speed limits and was under the control of a driver who had extensive training.

The draft says: "Where an evaluation of the above factors, and of any other factor determined to be relevant, indicates that the possibility of a tipover is remote, and in fact there is no history of tipovers or near misses, a citation for failure to use an active operator protection device or system will not be issued."

Since 1995, OSHA inspectors have required forklift operators to wear seatbelts while driving, and issued citations to employers if the rule was violated.

The ITA, which represents US forklift manufacturers, believes the proposal would compromise safety because seldom is an environment totally safe, nor a driver totally trained. In addition, the American National Standards Institute has called for the use of operator restraint devices. US forklift manufacturers had installed seatbelts on forklifts since 1990, the ITA said.

Comments on the OSHA draft close on December 1.