[Shot of a forklift in use at a factory. Then, Suzette Earhart is seen speaking to the forklift operators at the factory.]
SUZETTE EARHART - Occupational Health & Safety Inspector with the Ministry of Labour >> Hi. My name is Suzette Earhart. I'm an Occupational Health & Safety Inspector with the Ministry of Labour. I'm here today at the Niagara College Technology Skills Centre where I'm going to talk to you about some of the things that we look for regarding forklift safety.
[Suzette introduces herself to the class instructor at the college. The classroom setting is more like a garage than a classroom.]
SUZETTE EARHART >> When I come to your workplace, one of the first things that I'm going to ask is to speak to somebody who's in charge of the workplace. So somebody who has control and can make changes.
[Suzette speaks with the instructor.]
SUZETTE EARHART >> [to instructor]: What are you doing to prevent things from breaking down?
SUZETTE EARHART >> I'll ask them about their enforcement of safe operation and I'll also ask them about inspection. What happens with those inspection records? What type of maintenance program they have their vehicles under.
[Suzette Earhart inspects the surroundings, speaking with members of the class/workers as she inspects. She speaks with forklist operators, and reviews their equipment.]
SUZETTE EARHART >> When I talk to a forklift operator, I'm going to ask them about the training that they've received. I'm going to ask them about the type of hazards that they might encounter in their workplace and I'm going to ask them about measures and procedures for reporting things such as defective equipment or near misses and accidents that they may have had in the workplace.
[Suzette speaks with forklift operator.]
SUZETTE EARHART >> [to forklift operator]: Okay, can you maybe get down out of the forklift and show me some of the things that you would look for please?
SUZETTE EARHART >> Even though somebody's had training from a previous employer, when you hire that worker in your facility, you have to make sure that they've been given the specific information for your workplace.
[Suzette speaks wityh forklift operator as they inspect his vehicle.]
FORKLIFT OPERATOR >> Headlights. Tail lights. Make sure all the safety lights are working.
[Close-up shots of the particular areas of the forklift that Suzette mentions in the following paragraph are shown.]
SUZETTE EARHART >> Some of the things that we look for when we inspect forklifts are we're going to look at the condition of the forklift. Are the tires in good condition? Is the seat in good condition? Does the mast look like it's in good condition? Are there cracks in the forks or are they bent? Those are the types of things that we would look at.
SUZETTE EARHART >> [to forklift operator]: Can you show me where the capacity plate is for your vehicle?
[Close-up shots of the particular areas of the forklift that Suzette mentions in the following paragraph are shown.]
SUZETTE EARHART >> Some of the most common things that we encounter when we inspect forklifts are forklifts that haven't had their annual inspection to make sure that they're capable of lifting their rated load of capacity.
FORKLIFT OPERATOR >> The capacity plate is right here.
SUZETTE EARHART >> [to forklift operator]: Okay and what information would you find on that capacity plate?
FORKLIFT OPERATOR >> How much the tow motor can lift itself and how much it weighs?
[Shots of a forklft in operation in the classroom.]
SUZETTE EARHART >> We also take a look at the environment that they're actually using the equipment in. Is it proper for the environment? Is the environment itself safe? What type of hazards are there such as floor surfaces. Do they have ramps and loading docks? Are there issues with pedestrians in the workplace?
FORKLIFT OPERATOR >> All the safety and lifting devices are okay?
[Suzette inspects the forklift further, while also showing close-up shots of the items she speaks of below.]
SUZETTE EARHART >> I'm going to make sure there is a fire extinguisher available. The seat, is there a seat belt? I want to see that the propane tank is properly secured, it has the straps holding it in place. When I find a contravention in the workplace, what I'll do is an assessment of the risk to the worker. If the risk is relatively low, then I'm going to likely just issue an order. If the risk is higher though, I'm going to consider putting a stop work order to stop the worker from using the equipment or doing whatever it is that's harmful to him.
[The Supervisor teaches the forklift operator instructions on forklift operation in the classroom.]
SUPERVISOR >> Okay stop? Look both ways.
SUZETTE EARHART >> I believe that all forklift accidents are preventable - and with safe operation, proper measures and procedures and good equipment, there's no reason to have a forklift incident in your workplace.
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