Forklifts, Powered Industrial Trucks and a Rodeo

The Department of Labor & Industries has conducted numerous inspections as the result of near-fatal exposures to carbon monoxide in industries using forklifts in warehouses and freezers.  High concentrations may be rapidly fatal without producing significant warning symptoms. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are also emitted in the combustion process and high levels may cause respiratory symptoms and severe health effects.

It is very important to establish and maintain correct carburetor balance of fueled equipment used indoors. By following the controls listed in this Hazard Alert, employers can help prevent a disaster from occurring.

• Where possible, substitute equipment that doesn't produce CO or NOx (e.g. electric forklifts).
• Ensure proper maintenance of forklifts to reduce emissions
• Use and maintain catalytic converters on forklifts where applicable (the tuning of engines and installation of catalytic converters can reduce both CO and NOx emissions)
• Install feedback fuel control systems to reduce emissions
• Do not allow forklifts to idle while waiting to resume operations
• Ensure proper ventilation of work areas
• Use CO sensors or alarms; conduct periodic sampling of the work area for CO and NOx
• Provide training to employees on the symptoms, sources, and prevention of CO and NOx poisoning

It is important to recognize that although adjustment of carburetor balance on fueled engines can reduce CO emissions to safe levels, over-adjustment can actually increase NOx emissions to hazardous levels. It is very important to establish and maintain correct carburetor balance of fueled equipment used indoors. By following the controls listed in this Hazard Alert, employers can help prevent a disaster from occurring. Read the full article.

Let Evergreen Safety Council help with Forklift Operator Training and Forklift Instructor Training.

YEEHAW!  15th Annual Forklift Rodeo

Presented by the Material Handling Committee of the Governor’s Industrial Safety & Health Advisory Board and the Department of Labor & Industries:
    •    June 9, 2012 – Central Regional Competition
    •    July 14, 2012 – Eastern Regional Competition
    •    August 18, 2012 – Western Regional Competition

The competition is limited to 30 drivers at each location. The top 5 individual competitors from each regional event will proceed to the finals held at the Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health Conference. Come witness the finals in a statewide competition that will include a written exam, pre-flight inspection and driving skills.  Register today.   Spectators are welcome free of charge.

Safety & Health Solutions - January Issue

Contributed by Star Conrad, Director of Operations, Evergreen Safety Council 
Evergreen Safety Council produces a monthly newsletter covering a variety of safety topics. Each month we will provide a link here to the online PDF.

Inside this Issue:

Lead Article – PPE Hazard Assessment
Railroad Flaggers
LOTO (Lockout / Tagout)
Rookies = Safe Zone

You can also sign up to receive an electronic copy via email or hard copy via the mail. This link will also take you to a full archive with over four years of past issues.
So pour yourself a cup of coffee, sit back and read all about what's going on in the world of safety & health.

Safety & Health Solutions - December Issue

Contributed by Star Conrad, Director of Operations, Evergreen Safety Council 
Evergreen Safety Council produces a monthly newsletter covering a variety of safety topics. Each month we will provide a link here to the online PDF.

Inside this issue:

• Lead: Outdoor Hazards
• Violence in the Workplace
• Let's Get Personal About Protection
• Chemical Safety
• Steel Toed Boots vs. Forklift

You can also sign up to receive an electronic copy via email or hard copy via the mail. This link will also take you to a full archive with over four years of past issues.

So pour yourself a cup of coffee, sit back and read all about what's going on in the world of safety & health.

Safety & Health Solutions - November edition

Contributed by Star Conrad, Director of Operations, Evergreen Safety Council 
Evergreen Safety Council produces a monthly newsletter covering a variety of safety topics. Each month we will provide a link here to the online PDF.

Inside this Issue:

Lead Article – Be honest...Are you in compliance?

 

Other articles

• Machine Guarding
• First Aid: About OSHA and ANSI
• Confined Space Safety
• Can I borrow a cup of sugar...and a forklift

You can also sign up to receive an electronic copy via email or hard copy via the mail. This link will also take you to a full archive with over four years of past issues.

So pour yourself a cup of coffee, sit back and read all about what's going on in the world of safety & health.

Recertifying Forklift Operators

Evergreen’s Eric Tofte and intern John Neibel started November off with some onsite training. We spent the first two days of the month working with a local utility company; their employees welcomed us with warm wishes even though it was  literally freezing outside. Approximately 30 people were recertified to operate the forklifts at this location over two days.


Machine inspection

 Some things to note from the class: most of us have our bad habits when it comes to operating Forklifts, but we kept seeing some more than others and they warrant mentioning here.



1) When backing look over both shoulders to ensure that there are no obstructions or personnel in the area behind the lift. We noticed that almost everyone likes to look over their right should, but never looked to the left.

2) Keep all body parts inside of the cab of the forklift.  This means - no you cannot hang onto the frame of the overhead protection or hang onto the side of the forklift to steady yourself. A small impact could cause a very serious injury.



Reviewing a driver in action



3) Pedestrians should be trained too - the driver of the forklift may be the one who is responsible for the accident should some one get hurt, but who is the one that is hurting? The Pedestrian. 



4) Horns are there to be used—even though the machine has a back-up alarm. Use the horn to raise the level of awareness of the hazard that is presented, use the horn at any and all blind corners – if you can’t see around it, then they cannot see you; let them know that you are there.

Safety & Health Solutions - October edition

Contributed by Star Conrad, Director of Operations, Evergreen Safety Council 
Evergreen Safety Council produces a monthly newsletter covering a variety of safety topics. Each month we will provide a link here to the online PDF.  Check out our new look!

Inside this Issue:
Lead Article – NIOSH: Preventing Work Related Injury
Washington Governor's Industrial Safety & Health Conference at 60
Preventing Eye Injury
Forklift Technology Updates
You can also sign up to receive an electronic copy via email or hard copy via the mail. This link will also take you to a full archive with over four years of past issues.

So pour yourself a cup of coffee, sit back and read all about what's going on in the world of safety & health.

Safety & Health Solutions - September edition

Contributed by Star Conrad, Director of Operations, Evergreen Safety Council 
Evergreen Safety Council produces a monthly newsletter covering a variety of safety topics. Each month we will provide a link here to the online PDF.

Inside this Issue:
Lead/Guest Article – Farm Safety Culture: What Would a Thriving Safety Culture Feel Like?
People In Safety - Al Filmore, Trainer / Consultant, Evergreen Safety Council
Two Students Awarded ESC Scholarship
Portable Ladders: Is it the Right Size?
Aerial Lifts Offer Mobility, Flexibility and Unique Hazards
Safely Operating an Aerial Lift
The Tiger in Your Tool Shed
Are You Required to Wear PPE?

You can also sign up to receive an electronic copy via email or hard copy via the mail. This link will also take you to a full archive with over four years of past issues.

So pour yourself a cup of coffee, sit back and read all about what's going on in the world of safety & health.

14th Annual Forklift Rodeo

About the Forklift Rodeo

Drivers use expert forklift operating skills to negotiate a fun and challenging driving course that includes various tasks and hazards. Contestants are evaluated on the safe, efficient, skillful and proper completion of the course using accepted forklift operation standards. Register Today!

The 2011 Washington State competition is co-sponsored by the Materials Handling Planning Committee of the Governor’s Industrial Safety & Health Advisory Board and the Department of Labor & Industries.

Upcoming Regional Competition
August 20
Auburn Boeing
2400 Perimeter Road, Auburn, WA

Regional Competition Day Schedule
9:00 a.m. Registration/Written test
10:00 a.m. Drivers meeting/Course familiarization
10:30 a.m. Driving competition begins

*Bring a lawn chair and sunscreen. Seating may be limited.

2011 Regional Forklift Rodeo Prizes
1st place $300
2nd place $200
3rd place $100
4th place $50
5th place $50
6th place $50
7th place $50

The top five individual competitors from each regional competition will advance to the final competition to be held at the 2011 Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health Conference.

Finals in Tacoma September 28, 2011
Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health Conference
Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center
1500 Broadway Tacoma, WA

Employers are encouraged to sponsor in-house competitions and send their best drivers. Contact Al Rainsberger for sample rules and course diagrams.
Phone: 206-281-3842 / toll free: 1-888-451-2004

2011 Final Forklift Rodeo Prizes

1st place $500

2nd place $400

3rd place $300

4th place $200

5th place $100

Forklift to be provided at competition site. Forklifts will be provided by the Washington State Forklift dealers in your area. Forklifts are sit-down, propane-powered with pneumatic tires, standard 42” forks, counterbalanced, with a capacity of 5,000 lbs.

Safety & Health Solutions - July edition

Evergreen Safety Council produces a monthly newsletter covering a variety of safety topics. Each month we will provide a link here to the online PDF.

Inside this Issue:
Lead Article – Planning for Off-Site Hazardous Materials Incidents

Summer Riding Tips

Evergreen Safety Council / Washington Employers Association Alliance

Be Courteous, Patient and Prepared

Why Prevention of Slips, Trips and Falls is important

Notes from the Road

What were we thinking back then?

Fireworks Safety

You can also sign up to receive an electronic copy via email or hard copy via the mail. This link will also take you to a full archive with over four years of past issues.

So pour yourself a cup of coffee, sit back and read all about what's going on in the world of safety & health.

Safety & Health Solutions Newsletter - April edition

Evergreen Safety Council produces a monthly newsletter covering a variety of safety topics. Each month we will provide a link here to the online PDF.

Inside this Issue:
Lead Article – Enforcement vs. Compliance Assistance
People in Safety – IMCO General Construction
It Will Get Hot Again, We Promise!
Stopping at Intersections
Improving Response to Major Incidents – Part 3 of 3

Regular Features:
Membership Corner
Forklift Corner
Calendar of Events
Safety Gallery
And more....

You can also sign up to receive an electronic copy via email or hard copy via the mail. This link will also take you to a full archive with over four years of past issues.

So pour yourself a cup of coffee, sit back and read all about what's going on in the world of safety & health.

Safety & Health Solutions - February edition

Evergreen Safety Council produces a monthly newsletter covering a variety of safety topics. Each month we will provide a link here to the online PDF.

Inside this Issue:
Lead Article – Why is safety training for employees important?
People in Safety – Brion Beaver, Safety Manager, Cascade Natural Gas
Articles -
Another life saved because two individuals were trained in first aid/CPR
Tractor Safety
How to Brake-Release-Steer
Improve Response to Major Incidents with Better Preparedness and Training
Fun with Forklifts

You can also sign up to receive an electronic copy via email or hard copy via the mail. This link will also take you to a full archive with over four years of past issues.

So pour yourself a cup of coffee, sit back and read all about what's going on in the world of safety & health.

Safety & Health Conference

59th Annual Governor's Industrial Safety and Health Conference
September 29 - 30, 2010
at the Spokane Convention Center

Every year the Governor's Industrial Safety and Health Conference offers two days of training and education, providing the latest tools, technologies and strategies for workplace safety and health.

Evergreen Safety Council will be hosting vendor booth #105. Stop by and talk to Executive Director Tom Odegaard, Director of Training Eric Tofte, Safety Trainer Norm Nyhuis, and our new Safety Intern Mary Czaja. Be sure to and mention you read our blog for a free prize!

During the first day of the conference (Wednesday, September 29th) ESC Safety Trainer Norm Nyhuis will be a featured speaker:

Distracted Driving in Washington State
10:00 am – 11:30 am, Room 100B
Technology, including laptop computers, GPS navigation systems, and cell phones, has become a part of nearly every facet of modern life. This technology has also found its way into our automobiles, providing both benefits and, all too often, tragic consequences when it takes our attention from the road.
Sponsored by the Accident Prevention Planning Committee

Safety Norm will also be participating in the
13th Annual Forklift Rodeo
Noon – 4:00 pm, Group Health Exhibit Hall A
Watch skilled forklift operators as they navigate a fun and challenging driving course that includes various tasks and hazards. Drivers are evaluated on the safe, efficient, skillful,
and proper completion of the course using accepted forklift operation standards.
Sponsored by the Materials Handling Planning Committee

During the Conference presentations you might even see our very own Eric Tofte acting as emcee!

For a full listing of all the conference events and vendors, take a look at the 2010 GISHC Program. (.pdf file)