• There are a few key terms to understand in order to ensure safe PIT operation in a workplace.

Center of gravity: The point on an object at which all of the object’s weight is concentrated. For symmetrical loads, the center of gravity is at the middle of the load.

Counterweight: The weight that is built into the truck’s basic structure and used to offset the load’s weight and maximize the vehicle’s resistance to tipping over.

Grade: The slope of a surface, which is usually measured as the number of feet of rise or fall over a 100-foot horizontal distance (the slope is expressed as a percent).

Load center: The horizontal distance from the load’s edge (or the fork or other attachment’s vertical face) to the line of action through the load’s center of gravity.

Powered industrial truck (PIT): Fork trucks, tractors, platform lift trucks, motorized hand trucks, and other specialized industrial trucks powered by electric motors or internal combustion engines, excluding compressed air or nonflammable compressed gas-operated industrial trucks, farm vehicles, and vehicles intended primarily for earth moving or over-the-road hauling.

Stability triangle: The three-point suspension system that runs along an imaginary line between a forklift’s two front tires and the center of the rear axle. Even though the vehicle has four wheels, it is only supported at these three points.

Motorized hand truck: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) term for a powered pallet jack.

Pallet jack: A type of PIT used to move materials from one place to another. They do not typically raise the material very high.

Walkie: A common industry term for powered pallet jack that can only be operated by a walking operator.

Walkie-rider: A type of pallet jack that can be operated by a walking operator on the ground, or by a riding operator who stands on a built-in platform.