OSHA issued a Request For Information to help the agency consider opening a rulemaking for updating the powered industrial trucks standards for the general, maritime and construction industries.

The standards went into effect in 1971, and were based on industry consensus standards from 1969. “Since then, national consensus standards have been updated several times,” OSHA points out.

The aim of this RFI is to seek public comment on what aspects of the powered industrial trucks standards are effective as well as those that may be outdated, inefficient, unnecessary or overly burdensome. It includes how those provisions might be repealed, replaced or modified while at the same time maintaining or improving worker safety.

OSHA is requesting information on such subjects as the types, age and usage of powered industrial trucks; maintenance and retrofitting; how to regulate older powered industrial trucks; and the types of accidents and injuries associated with operating these machines.

The agency also says it needs information on the costs and benefits of retrofitting the machines with safety features and other components needed for advancing an effective safety program.

OSHA says it will use the information received in response to this request to determine what action it may choose to take to reduce regulatory burdens and create jobs while improving worker safety.

Comments must be submitted on or before June 10, 2019 at http://www.regulations.gov, the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal, or by fax or mail. See the Federal Register notice for additional information about the questions OSHA seeks to have answered.