National Forklift Safety Day 2021 highlights workplace safety

The Industrial Truck Association celebrates National Forklift Safety Day to raise awareness of safety for those who produce, operate and work on or around forklifts, according to the association. Photo: FG Trade/E+/Getty Images

The Industrial Truck Association (ITA) is holding its eighth annual National Forklift Safety Day on June 8.

The day aims to raise awareness on the value of safety for those who produce, operate and work on or around forklifts.

Propane holds a significant market share in class 4 and 5 forklifts.

The speakers and topics for 2021 include:

• Brian Feehan, president, ITA – Moderator
• Jay Gusler, ITA chairman of the board and executive vice president of operations, Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas – Welcome and overview
• James Frederick, deputy assistant secretary of labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) – OSHA updates and resources
• Tony Sciarrotta, executive director and publisher, The Reverse Logistics Association
• Jess Dankert, vice president for supply chain, Retail Industry Leaders Association
• Mike Field, NFSD Task Force chair, and president and CEO of The Raymond Corporation – Forklift industry safety

Those interested in attending can sign up to view the online event via the ITA website. The event serves as an opportunity for forklift manufacturers to highlight the safe use of forklifts, the value of operator training and the need for daily equipment checks.

In conjunction with the event, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is encouraging material handling professionals to take its new Mission Zero Pledge and commit to a safe, incident free workplace.

By signing the pledge, respondents will receive a $5 Amazon gift card for their participation.

“A strong safety culture is something to take pride in, and this pledge is designed to recognize crews across the country who are already working hard to maintain a safe workplace each day,” says Matt McDonald, PERC director of off-road business development. “At PERC, we take pride in supporting propane users. We believe that together, through ongoing training, education and engagement opportunities, we can achieve zero accidents.”

Users can download a collection of free safety resources on the PERC website, including a toolkit for safety directors and forklift dealers, and a downloadable safety poster.

According to OSHA, operator performance scores improved by 61 percent after completing forklift operator training.

National Forklift Safety Day was held virtually last year, too, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The archived 2020 event can be viewed on the ITA website.