The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that there are 34 900 serious injuries, including 85 fatal accidents per year in the Unites States involving forklifts. 11% of all forklifts will be involved in some type of accident each year and the manufacturing industry is the most affected with 42.5% of fatal accidents.

Many work-related factors can cause accidents with forklift trucks, such as lack of training, poor maintenance, blocked vision, improper backing,…

Here's a great article I came across from over a decade ago regarding sustaining 5S programs. The fundamentals are the same today as they were back then. Simple and straight forward. I'm particularly fond of # 4. Enjoy and please share your feedback and input. 

Happy New Year

David Visco

5S Best Practices

Columns From: 7/1/2004 Modern Machine Shop, Wayne Chaneski

I…

With clutter gone and the storage area organized, the next step is to properly and thoroughly clean and paint equipment and work areas. This step is critical as a way of sustaining the improvements begun in the Sort and Set phases. Initial painting and cleaning requires a blitz task outside regular working hours, but after that a daily routine should be established. The entire team should participate in cleaning - but make sure that every team has adequate cleaning supplies and equipment;…