Forklift operators transport chemicals daily. Forklifts are used in chemical
manufacturing plants as well as other hazardous locations. Accidents and spills occur.
Workers need to be aware of these hazards and how to avoid exposures. All employers with
hazardous chemicals in their workplaces must prepare and implement a written
hazard communication program, and ensure that all containers
are labeled, employees are provided access to Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDSs), and an
effective training program is conducted for all potentially exposed employees.
They must also ensure that only properly authorized powered industrial trucks
enter hazardous locations and that these locations are
posted.
The following is an overview of the major laws enacted, regulations,
training requirements, and other resources:
Hazardous Material Overview
Department of Transportation (DOT)
DOT Hazardous materials regulations are subdivided by function into
four basic areas:
- Procedures and/or Policies (49 CFR Parts 101, 106, and 107)
- Material Designations (49 CFR Part 172)
- Packaging Requirements (49 CFR Parts 173, 178, 179, and 180)
- Operational Rules (49 CFR Parts 171, 173, 174,
175, 176, and 177)
For additional information, see
Other Federal Standards.
OSHA's HAZWOPER
OSHA's HAZWOPER
standard,
29 CFR 1910.120, covers emergency response
personnel who respond to the incident. If the operator of the vehicle
becomes actively involved in an emergency response, then he/she is
considered an emergency responder and is covered by
29 CFR 1910.120(q).
Radioactive Materials
Several agencies have overlapping authorities for
regulating shipments of radioactive materials. DOT regulates the shipment of
hazardous materials, including radioactive materials. National Regulatory
Commission (NRC) regulates commercial activities at nuclear power plants.
Department of Energy (DOE) ships commercial radioactive waste for storage
and defense nuclear waste and weapons for storage or use. DOE and the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
share responsibility for transportation of hazardous wastes or radioactive
and hazardous waste mixtures generated at facilities operated by DOE under
the authority of the Atomic Energy Agency (AEA).
For additional information, see
Other Federal Standards.
OSHA Compliance
Standards
General Industry (29 CFR 1910)
Shipyard Employment (29 CFR
1915)
Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926)
For additional information, see
OSHA Standards,
Frequently Cited OSHA Standards, and
Other Federal Standards.
For further information on industry standards, see
National Consensus Standards.
Directives
Standard Interpretations
- Clarification of systems for electronic access to MSDSs. (1999,
February 18).
-
What type of powered industrial truck can be used in an aluminum powder production building where dust levels may be in an explosive concentration. OSHA Standard Interpretation,
(1995, June 16). Provides guidance on OSHA's acceptance of the type of trucks listed and
approved in later versions of NFPA No. 505, Summary Tables on Use of
Powered Industrial Trucks.
-
Clarification of the use of powered industrial trucks in Class I, Division 2, Group C locations. OSHA
Standard Interpretation, (1995, May 24). Clarifies the use of powered industrial
trucks in hazardous locations.
-
Use of a powered industrial truck to dump hexamine into a hopper of a bucket elevator. OSHA Standard Interpretation, (1993, June 3).
Provides
guidance on the use of a powered industrial truck, not approved for
use in atmospheres that can contain combustible dusts, in an operation
where a cloud of combustible dust could be created.
-
Definition of the phrase "Adequate ventilation" as used in 1910.178.
OSHA Standard Interpretation, (1976, January 26). Indicates a "typical exhaust fan" could meet this requirement if the
concentrations of the hydrogen gas in the fan's ambient air never
exceeded the lower explosive limit.
-
Search all available
standard interpretations.
Training Requirements
EPA, OSHA, and DOT each have separate
training rules, but there is often overlap among the various requirements.
OSHA's goal is to reduce worker injury and illness. DOT requires all employees
who handle or transport hazardous materials to receive general awareness,
function-specific, and safety training. EPA training focuses on eliminating the
release of pollutants and wastes, both on and off site.
For additional information on DOT and EPA training requirements, see Other Federal Standards.
For further information on industry standards, see
National Consensus Standards.
The following are OSHA's major training statutes related to the shipping of hazardous materials:
-
29 CFR 1910.38, Emergency
action plans. OSHA Standard. The
training requirements of
29 CFR 1910.38(e) cover the
designation and training of employees to assist in a
safe and orderly evacuation of other
employees.
-
29 CFR 1910.178, Powered
industrial trucks. OSHA Standard. Includes specific training requirements for the use of
forklift in hazardous locations.
-
29 CFR 1910.120, Hazardous waste operations and emergency response.
OSHA Standard. The training
requirements of
29 CFR 1910.120(e) covers the requirements for different
worker populations, determining if a release is covered by the
standard and emergency response to HAZWOPER events.
-
29 CFR 1910.134, Respiratory protection. OSHA Standard. The training requirements of
29 CFR 1910.134(k) covers
respiratory hazards, type of respirators, respirator selection, fitting and maintenance,
medical surveillance, and respirator training and administration.
- 29 CFR 1910.145, Specifications for
accident prevention
signs and tags. OSHA Standard. Includes specific training requirements for the
identification of signs and tags, hazard determination, and precautions
to take for personal protection as indicated by signs.
-
29 CFR 1910.157, Portable fire extinguishers. OSHA Standard.
- 29 CFR 1910.165, Employee
alarm systems. OSHA Standard. The training
requirements of
29 CR 1910.165(b)(4) covers how to explain to employees the
preferred means of reporting emergencies.
-
29 CFR 1910.1200, Hazard communication. OSHA Standard.
- 29 CFR 1910.1201, Retention of DOT markings, placards and labels.
OSHA Standard.
General Hazard References
-
Evacuation Plans and Procedures. OSHA eTool. Assists small,
low-hazard service or retail businesses implement an emergency action
plan and comply with OSHA's emergency standards.
- For additional information, see OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Pages
on:
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