Employee / Occupational Safety
Powered Industrial Trucks (PIT)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Q1. What is a Powered Industrial Truck (PIT)?
Q2. Why can’t just anyone that works for UVa operate a forklift, picker, etc?
Q3. How do I become certified to operate a PIT?
Q4. I have already taken a certification class a few years ago; that certification is good forever, right?
Q5. Currently I am not a certified PIT operator but I would like to become certified. Can just anyone enroll in the certification class?
Q6. I have been operating a PIT for years. Why is UVa now mandating I take a certification class?
Q1. What is a Powered Industrial Truck (PIT)?
Answer -- A Powered Industrial Truck (PIT) is any piece of equipment that is powered by electricity, battery, propane, etc. At UVa these would include but are not limited to forklifts, reaches, pickers, and battery/electric powered pallet jacks. Manual pallet jacks are not considered a PIT.
Q2. Why can’t just anyone that works for UVa operate a forklift, picker, etc?
Answer -- OSHA has mandated that anyone who operates a Powered Industrial Truck (PIT) must be trained and certified. Employees must be certified on the particular piece of equipment that they will operate while completing their duties here at UVa and must attend annual re-certification classes provided by Environmental Health & Safety.
Q3. How do I become certified to operate a PIT?
Answer -- Environmental Health & Safety offers PIT training, certification and annual re-certification. For further information contact Michelle Whitlock at 982-4836 or Gerald Drumheller at 982-5479.
Q4. I have already taken a certification class a few years ago; that certification is good forever, right?
Answer -- No. All PIT operators must first complete a certification class and then must attend annual re-certification classes.
Q5. Currently I am not a certified PIT operator but I would like to become certified. Can just anyone enroll in the certification class?
Answer -- This will depend upon your particular job responsibilities. Check with your immediate supervisor to see if she/he feels you should become a certified operator. Remind your supervisor that you must be certified even if you only use a PIT on an occasional basis.
Q6. I have been operating a PIT for years. Why is UVa now mandating I take a certification class?
Answer -- OSHA mandates PIT certification. PIT’s are responsible for multiple deaths and numerous injuries each year. Our program is designed to ensure all operators are properly trained and certified while always exercising safety when operating a PIT.
Only employees who are certified to drive fork-lifts are allowed to operate University equipment.