SAFETY SOLUTIONS: Forklift Safety Practices

Powered industrial trucks, commonly called forklifts or lift trucks, are used in many industries, primarily to move materials. They can also be used to raise, lower, or remove large objects or a number of smaller objects on pallets or in boxes, crates, or other containers. Powered industrial trucks can either be ridden by the operator or controlled by a walking operator. What are the hazards associated with operating powered industrial trucks?

There are many types of powered industrial trucks. Each type presents different operating hazards. For example, a sit-down, counterbalanced high-lift rider truck is more likely than a motorized hand truck to be involved in a falling load accident because the sit-down rider truck can lift a load much higher than a hand truck. Workplace type and conditions are also factors in hazards commonly associated with powered industrial trucks. For example, many workers can be injured when:

(1) lift trucks are inadvertently driven off loading docks;
(2) lifts fall between docks and an unsecured trailer;
(3) they are struck by a lift truck; or
(4) they fall while on elevated pallets and tines.

If you have forklifts in your place of employment,forklift operators must meet OSHA standards 29 CFR 1910.178 to be considered properly trained. According to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178 (I) (2) (ii) Training shall consist of a combination of formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written material), practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee), and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(2)(iii) states “All operator training and evaluation shall be conducted by persons who have the knowledge, training, and experience to train powered industrial truck operators and evaluate their competence” and 1910.178(l)(3) states “Training program content. Powered industrial truck operators shall receive initial training in the following topics, except in topics which the employer can demonstrate are not applicable to safe operation of the truck in the employer's workplace.” OSHA requires all forklift operators must have retraining at least once every three years and it is a violation of Federal law for anyone under 18 years of age to operate a forklift or for anyone over 18 years of age who is not properly trained and certified to do so.

Here are a few common safety rules to follow during forklift operation:

• Use the seat belt. It will keep you secured in the seat in the unplanned event of a tip over.
• A parked forklift should have the forks flat on the floor with the controls set to neutral and with the parking brake set.
• A forklift is considered to be “unattended” if the operator is more than 25 feet away or if the forklift is out of the direct vision of the operator. Unattended forklifts should be parked with the power turned off.
• When operating the forklift on inclines, the load should always be on the uphill side of the incline. Drive forward going up the incline. Drive backward going down the incline.
• When traveling without a load on the forks, keep the forks approximately four to six inches off the floor.
• Never allow anyone to walk underneath a raised load.
• Stop at all blind corners to check for other traffic in the area. This includes other forklifts and pedestrians. Honk your horn and look before you proceed.
• If carrying a tall load that blocks your forward vision, drive in reverse and turn your head so you can see where you are going.
• If operating around other forklifts maintain a three-forklift length distance between forklifts and never attempt passing.
• Never drive a forklift up to the back of a person who is unaware that the forklift is behind them.

If you have questions about forklift safety or need training, please contact me at jpodojil@podojilconsulting.com.

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