Employees authorized to operate powered industrial trucks (PITs) must be given operator training in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard 1910.178, Powered Industrial Trucks. Before operating PITs, employees must be evaluated and certified. They must follow the operating rules and regulations outlined in Postal Service handbooks, OSHA 1910.178, and the manufacturer’s operating instructions.
The objective of the PIT Safety Program is to comply with OSHA 1910.178 and to promote safe PIT operation to reduce potential losses, human suffering, and property damage while maintaining the efficient distribution of mail.
The following handbooks provide policy and procedures for implementing an effective PIT Safety Program:
- EL-801, Supervisor’s Safety Handbook.
- EL-803, Maintenance Employee’s Guide to Safety.
- EL-814, Postal Employee’s Guide to Safety.
- PO-701, Fleet Management.
Postal Service personnel responsbile for hiring and providing medical services must ensure that only qualified applicants are hired and retained as PIT operators.
PIT operators must follow:
- Postal Service policy and procedures and
- OSHA 1910.178.
Supervisors must ensure that the PIT operators they supervise operate PITs safely and follow Postal Service policies and procedures, as well the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.178.
Managers and supervisors must analyze operator observations, routes of travel, and PIT accident data to determine potential hazards, contributing factors, and the root causes of accidents. They must also develop and implement countermeasures designed to prevent PIT accidents at their installations.
