Safety Programs

Safety demands a harmonious blend of management and leadership. Too often the leadership function is delegated away by the CEO and the safety program is doomed! The challenge for all serving in a leadership capacity is that their first responsibility is for the training and safety of those in their charge. Effectively accomplished, productivity, quality and customer satisfaction will result. Those in positions of leadership will have prevailed by "inspiring others to excel!"

The most frequent way an OSHA visit starts is by an employee complaint! The cost of an effective safety program is a small price to pay compared with the cost of building the program after the fact, plus citations and potential litigation costs etc.

Let us review your "situation" with you and establish the elements necessary to tailor a program to your specific needs.

Powered Industrial Truck Safety

Note: If your current program or training provider does not provide site and equipment-specific hands-on training and evaluation then the chances are very good that your company is not in compliance with the current OSHA regulations.

Many forklift dealers offer “generic” training based at their dealerships. Be aware that OSHA Standard, 29 CFR 1910.178 , "Powered Industrial Trucks", requires that the hands-on phase be site and equipment-specific! That is, the hands-on phase should be conducted in your facility using your equipment.

HGI Training Options...

OPTION "A": "CUSTOMIZED", ON-SITE TRAINING CONDUCTED AT YOUR SITE & ON YOUR EQUIPMENT. This comprehensive training is the most popular option for those companies looking to train six (6) or more operators. We will survey your facility and develop a customized program using your companies policies and procedures, as well as, operator manuals, digital photos, video and more.

Note: If your current program or training provider does not provide site and equipment-specific customization then the chances are very good that your company will not comply with the current OSHA regulations.

OPTION "B": "SHARED" TRAINING PROGRAM. Do you only have a few operators? Everyone is trained and now you have just hired a new person that requires training and evaluation? This unique arrangement allows you to quickly and easily schedule your operators into classes held in the local area. Your operator will receive basic classroom instruction and then return to your facility ready to complete the training process. HGI will advise or assist you in completing your site/equipment specific requirements and conducting the final "Hands-on Evaluation."

HGI provides Shared Training at two locations alternating on the Second Monday of Each Month: Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Springfield, Ohio, and KMH Systems in Dayton, Ohio. Dates are shown below at the location indicated. Select the location link below for directions.

OPTION "C": "NOVICE" TRAINING. Do you have someone that you wish to include as an operator but who has no previous experience? A beginner - we use the term "novice?" In addition to the classroom, they need hands-on instruction and (supervised) experience to get them started. We are prepared to deal with this. They do best by attending either an on-site or shared classroom to get started. Then they can begin their novice training concluded with the evaluation. Novice training must be overseen / conducted by a “qualified” employee or outside source! In either case they should be designated, in-writing. An in-house, qualified source should be designated in writing; the outside source by the purchase order, memorandum etc. In any event, written documentation is necessary otherwise “it” did not happen!

OPTION "D": TRAINING YOUR OWN TRAINER. For companies that work on varying job sites, have substantial turnover, multiple locations, or unique/complex operations, training a trainer may be an option. This 2-day course covers personal and company liability, OSHA law, ANSI requirements, training customization, content and techniques, presentation and instructional skills, etc. The law states that "All operator training and evaluation shall be conducted by persons who have the knowledge, training and experience to train powered industrial truck operators and evaluate their competence." Caution: It is essential that the candidate trainer has a passionate desire to be a trainer! And, it is equally essential that the employer shares that passionate desire to insure the commitment of the time and energy necessary to allow the program's success!

Have a need for 4 or more in-house trainers? We will bring the class to your facility! This training is conducted as we recruit sufficient participants.

Note: We are only able to offer training for companies (employers) at this time. We cannot offer training to individuals when a company (employer) is not involved. Thank you.

Mobile Equipment Training - Elevated Platform Safety

Our involvement with Elevated Work Platforms, such as scissors lifts, came first when one of our clients that gives safety full attention, desiring to be compliant but not having anyone with the appropriate experience, contacted us. We are their Powered Industrial Truck Training provider and the two systems compliment one another technically and from an instructional viewpoint.

If you review the OSHA Standards, ANSI Standards and study the manufacturer's manuals (Example: Operator Manual) for any such equipment you will quickly note the requirement for the operators to be trained!

Compliance issues are spelled out in OSHA criteria, ASME/ANSI Standard B56.1-2004, manufacturer's operation and safety manuals, operator manuals "Warnings" and "Cautions". The Scaffold Industry Association is also very involved.