Department of Labor's New Forklift Simulator Teaches Safe Equipment Operations for the Workplace

Augusta, Maine - Violations on "Powered Industrial Trucks" are of the most frequently cited by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Now, Maine employers can help reduce fines and ensure a safer workplace through a new forklift training simulator available at the SafetyWorks! Training Institute (STI) at the Maine Department of Labor.

"Making Maine more business friendly is a constant priority of this administration," said Governor Paul R. LePage. "One of the ways we do this is through education of workplace safety hazards that help employers provide a safe place for Mainers to work and be prepared in the case of a federal OSHA audit. Investing time and energy in safety helps everyone; I encourage businesses to connect with SafetyWorks! for one of these no-cost trainings."

Available at the STI Forklift Operator Training class, the Simlog Forklift Personal Simulator teaches
students real skills for productive and safe equipment operations in the workplace. Hands-on controls and training scenarios simulate factory, warehouse and distribution center environments, including a variety of loads, shelving arrangements, and truck bays. Simulation modules include, Controls Familiarization, Slalom, Ramp Driving, Selective Pallet Racks, Drive-In/Drive-Through Racks, Cantilever Racks and Flatbed Truck, and Loading Docks. Sixty-three comprehensive Performance Indicators measure the quality and productivity of the students' work for each module, and the software automatically tracks and reports Simulation Results.

The Forklift Operator Training workshop is held monthly at the SafetyWorks! Training Institute at the Department of Labor, 45 Commerce Drive in Augusta. The next workshop is scheduled for Monday, January 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Employers interested in this or future sessions can learn more and register at http://www.safetyworksmaine.com and clicking "More Classes" from the homepage. Space is limited so reservations are required.

SafetyWorks! is not OSHA and cannot issue fines or citations to private businesses. While SafetyWorks! helps businesses of any size, priority is given to small businesses. The program trains about 8,000 people and consults at nearly 1,000 worksites in Maine each year. Employers interested in learning more about the consulting and training services offered by SafetyWorks! should call 1-877-SAFE 345 (1-877-723-3345) or visit them online.