Responsibilities - Employers

According to Cal/OSHA regulations, employers should establish a formal training program to teach workers how to recognize and avoid hazards. Instructors should be well-versed in safety engineering and best practices.

Employers are responsible for the maintenance of equipment. All new powered industrial trucks, except vehicles intended primarily for earth moving or over-the-road hauling, must meet the design and construction requirements for powered industrial trucks established in the American National Standard for Powered Industrial Trucks, Part II, ANSI B56.1-1969. Trucks approved for fire safety also must bear a label, or some other identifying mark, indicating acceptance by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.

According to Cal/OSHA, employers must post and enforce a set of operating rules for GISO 3664, pertaining to general operating rules, and GISO 3650, pertaining to industrial trucks. Rules must be posted in a language understood by the majority of the employees and visible in a location frequented by machinery drivers.

Employers must maintain records regarding the safety checks and maintenance of industrial equipment. Repairs to equipment must be documented.

Employers are also responsible for reporting work-related serious injuries, illnesses, or accidents causing the death of an employee to OSHA as soon as practically possible, but not longer than eight hours after the employer knows about the injury, illness, or death. Sometimes this length of time is extended up to 24 hours if the employer can demonstrate exigent circumstances.

Employers are responsible for training employees in proper emergency response procedures.

To learn more about Industrial Equipment visit our Cal/OSHA Industrial Equipment, Lift Trucks and Tractors Online Training web page.