Powered Industrial Truck Safety 221

agriculture

Any industry or occupation that involves the growing, raising, and harvesting of crops or livestock. Agriculture includes farming and ranching.

artificial intelligence

AI. A type of computer technology that enables machines to perform tasks that typically require human thinking, such as learning, decision-making, and problem-solving. Artificial intelligence helps autonomous PITs navigate, recognize obstacles, and complete tasks without human drivers.

attended vehicles

Any running PIT with an operator either on board or within 25 feet (7.6 meters). Attended vehicles require specific safety behaviors by both PIT operators and pedestrians.

autonomous

Able to operate and make decisions without direct human control, often through programmed instructions or technology. Autonomous PITs can move and perform tasks on their own, without an operator driving them.

axle

A central shaft that connects a pair of wheels, allowing them to rotate and helping to support the weight of a vehicle. The axle is the part of a PIT that connects two wheels.

balance scale

A scale that uses two platforms on either side of a fulcrum to compare the weights of objects. A balance scale is also known as a balance, beam balance, or laboratory balance.

blind spots

An area where a person’s view is obstructed. Blind spots pose dangers for both drivers and pedestrians and should be entered with caution.

center of gravity

COG. The area of an object at which all the surrounding weight is equal. The center of gravity is the point at which an object is in balance.

COG

Center of gravity. The area of an object at which all the surrounding weight is equal. The COG is the point at which an object is in balance.

combined center of gravity

On a PIT, the point at which the vehicle weight and the load weight combine. When the combined center of gravity is within the vehicle’s stability triangle, the PIT will not tip.

counterweight

A mass that is used to offset a heavy load. The weight of a PIT acts as a counterbalance to its load, but additional weight may be added for greater counterbalancing.

data plate

An informational metal plate affixed to a PIT by the manufacturer. A data plate contains information like the weight of the vehicle.

dynamic stability

The ability of a PIT to stay upright while in motion. Dynamic stability describes how various forces from motion can act on the load and vehicle to make it less stable and more likely to tip over.

electric-powered trucks

Any powered industrial truck that uses an engine powered by electricity rather than gasoline. Electric-powered trucks use large batteries as their power source.

Fair Labor Standards Act

The federal law that sets wages, work hours, and child labor standards for employees. The Fair Labor Standards Act is also known as the Wage and Hours Bill, and it sets the minimum age for PIT operators at 18 in most industries

flammable

Capable of catching fire and burning easily when exposed to heat, sparks, or flames. Flammable vapors or dust can ignite quickly.

forces

An influence that produces a change in an object's motion or state of rest. A force has a specific direction and magnitude.

fork extensions

A forklift attachment that increases the length of the forks. Fork extensions are used to handle large or oddly-shaped loads.

forklifts

A vehicle that has two prongs on the front for lifting pallets of material. Forklifts are one of the most common types of powered industrial truck.

forks

A pair of long, horizontal metal arms that extend from the front of a lifting device, designed to slide under and support objects for lifting and moving. Most powered industrial trucks have either forks or a platform.

fulcrum

The pivot point of a lever, or the point around which an object turns, tilts, or moves. The fulcrum of a forklift is generally its front axle.

hardware

The physical parts and equipment of a machine or computer system. Hardware includes the actual devices and components that autonomous PITs use to function, such as sensors and cameras.

inch-pounds

The customary unit used for measuring work or power. Inch-pound is abbreviated as in-lb.

internal combustion engine-powered trucks

Any powered industrial truck that uses an engine which creates energy from a petroleum fuel. Internal combustion engine-powered trucks run on gasoline, diesel, or liquefied petroleum gas.

lateral stability

The ability of a PIT to not tip over sideways. Lateral stability can be affected by a load that is out of balance or traveling on an uneven traveling surface.

liquefied petroleum gas

LPG. A fuel made from propane, butane, or a mixture of both. Liquified petroleum gas may also be called autogas or auto propane.

load backrest extension

The vertical portion of the lifting mechanism of a PIT which raises and lowers along with the forks. The load backrest extension prevents the load from falling backward onto the driver.

load center

The horizontal space that exists between the edge of a PIT’s load and its vertical stability line. The load center indicates the distance of the load from the vehicle’s center of gravity.

load distribution

The positioning or spreading of the weight of a load over the area that it occupies. Load distribution helps to determine stability in PITs.

loads

An object or material that needs to be lifted, moved, or transported, typically because it is too bulky, heavy, or numerous to be handled manually. Loads like boxes, pallets, or raw materials are handled by powered industrial trucks when it is otherwise unsafe or impractical to carry them by hand.

longitudinal stability

The ability of a PIT to resist tipping forward. A PIT generally has longitudinal stability when vehicle weight exceeds load weight.

manifests

A list of goods or materials being transported by truck, train, or other means. Manifests usually include details like the size, weight, and contents of the objects or substances.

mast

The vertical portion of a PIT’s lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the forks and load. The mast may also tilt backward and forward to assist in lifting and depositing loads.

maximum load capacity

The greatest amount of weight a vehicle or machine is designed to safely carry or lift without risking damage or instability. Operators must always stay within maximum load capacity to keep a PIT stable and prevent tipping or equipment failure.

momentum

Mass multiplied by velocity, or the combination of weight and motion. Excessive momentum can cause a PIT to tip.

Newton-meters

The metric unit used to measure work, power, and torque. Newton-meter is abbreviated as Nm.

noncombustible

Not able to easily catch fire or explode. Noncombustible materials pose a low risk of fire and must have flash points of at least 100°F (38°C) to be used to clean PITs.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA. A government agency under the U.S. Department of Labor that sets the standards for working conditions in the United States. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration ensures that employees work in safe and healthy environments.

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. A government agency under the U.S. Department of Labor that sets the standards for working conditions in the United States. OSHA ensures that employees work in safe and healthy environments.

overhead guard

The upper portion of a PIT that serves as a type of roof or rollbar. The overhead guard protects the operator from falling loads.

pallet jacks

A vehicle used to raise or lower pallets of objects or materials. Pallet jacks are a type of powered industrial truck.

pallets

A low, portable platform on which goods and materials are stacked for storage or transportation. Pallets are also known as skids.

pedestrian

Any person who is on foot rather than using a vehicle. Drivers of PITs must be aware of and avoid pedestrians.

PITs

Powered industrial truck. Any mobile, power-driven vehicle, other than a passenger or construction vehicle, that is capable of carrying, pushing, pulling, lifting, or stacking materials. Common PITs include forklifts, sideloaders, and pallet jacks.

pivot pin

The point on the rear axle of a forklift around which the wheels move to change the vehicle’s direction. The pivot pin transfers the motion of the steering wheel to the direction of the forklift’s travel.

powered industrial trucks

PIT. Any mobile, power-driven vehicle, other than a passenger or construction vehicle, that is capable of carrying, pushing, pulling, lifting, or stacking materials. Common powered industrial trucks include forklifts, sideloaders, and pallet jacks.

rated capacity

The manufacturer’s guidelines for how much weight a PIT can safely carry. Rated capacity is printed onto a capacity plate, which is stamped on the frame of the PIT.

sensors

A devices that detects and responds to physical input, such as movement, distance, or obstacles, and sends that information to a machine to help it function. Sensors help autonomous PITs detect their surroundings, such as people or objects in their path.

sideloaders

A vehicle designed to transport loads through narrow spaces, such as warehouses. Sideloaders are a type of powered industrial truck.

software

The set of digital instructions and programs that control how a computer or machine functions. Software runs the systems in autonomous PITs, guiding how they sense their environment, make decisions, and carry out tasks.

solvents

A chemical used to dissolve another substance. Solvents are often used to dissolve surface contaminants for cleaning purposes.

stability

The condition in which something remains balanced and steady, especially while in motion or under a load, without falling or tipping. Stability refers to a PIT’s ability to stay upright and balanced while moving or lifting items.

stability triangle

The area on a forklift between its three points of suspension that contains its center of gravity. The combined center of gravity must be within the stability triangle to prevent tipping.

standard load center measurement

Half the distance from the edge of a PIT’s forks or platform to the center. The standard load center measurement of a commonly used forklift is 24 inches (0.61 m).

symmetrical

Having equal shape, size, and weight on both sides of a central point, so that each side mirrors the other. A symmetrical load is evenly balanced, with its weight distributed equally on all sides.

three-point suspension system

A method of balancing or supporting a device or object at three different locations. Most forklifts have a three-point suspension system.

track

The distance between the wheels on the same axle of a PIT. Track helps to determine stability.

truck-related training

Any instruction that teaches employees how to operate a specific PIT. Truck-related training covers operational elements of the specified PIT, such as controls, functions, and limitations.

unattended vehicle

Any PIT that does not have an operator on board or within 25 feet (7.6 meters). Unattended vehicles are governed by a variety of specific rules, including how they should be secured.

vehicle height

The total vertical dimension of the vehicle and mast at its highest extension. Vehicle height is the maximum vertical measurement of a PIT.

vertical stability line

An imaginary line drawn through the vehicle’s center of gravity and the load’s center of gravity on a PIT. The position of the vertical stability line helps to determine vehicle stability.

wheelbase

The distance between the centerlines of the front and rear wheels of a PIT. The wheelbase helps to determine stability.

workplace-related training

Any instruction focused on operating equipment safely in the specific conditions and layout of a worksite, including potential hazards. Workplace-related training covers details like navigating ramps, avoiding pedestrians, and properly stacking materials