Kentucky Forklifts: What you need to know

The state has adopted the federal workplace safety and health rules for powered industrial trucks, including forklifts, by reference (803 KAR 2:313 in general industry and 803 KAR 2:413 in construction) and retained the following provision deleted by federal OSHA for general industry:

• Whenever a truck is equipped with vertical only, or vertical and horizontal controls able to be elevated with the lifting carriage or forks for lifting personnel, the following additional precautions shall be taken for the protection of personnel being elevated:
• Use of a safety platform firmly secured to the lifting carriage and/or forks.
• Means shall be provided whereby personnel on the platform can shut off power to the truck.
• Such protection from falling objects as indicated necessary by the operating conditions shall be provided.

Kentucky has its own federally approved occupational safety and health regulatory program. The Kentucky Labor Cabinet, Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Program (KyOSH), governs both public and private sector workplaces, except for the Tennessee Valley Authority and federal facilities.