Inspections find forklift safety lacking in Alberta workplaces

A work place campaign focusing on forklift safety in Albertafound more than 200 infractions even though the companies invovled wereforewarned of the spot inspections.

"Because we announced the inspections in mid-February and businesses expected to see us, I am disappointed to see forklifts and other equipment not properly maintained and operators not adequately trained," said Thomas Lukaszuk, Alberta's employment minister. "That's simply not acceptable."

"That strengthens my resolve in continually ratcheting up enforcement because at the end of the day there will be no excuse," he said.

Occupational health and safety officersmade 181 inspections and follow-up inspections of87 companies between Feb. 22 and Mar.18.

Theyfound 214 safety infractions.

Improvements are clearly needed in the use of forklifts and other powered mobile equipment such as pallet jacks, said Lukaszuk.

The province intends to target other industries with spot inspections such as thoseinvolving young workers andresidential construction.