Injury Prevention

Forklift Safety Tips

Nearly 100 workers are killed and another 20,000 are serious injured in forklift-related accidents every year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Follow these best practices to avoid becoming part of the statistics:

Do's

• Make sure workers who operate forklifts are trained and licensed.

• Train operators of standup-type forklifts with rear-entry access to exit from the truck by stepping backward if a lateral tipover occurs.

• Establish a vehicle inspection and maintenance program.

• Separate forklift traffic and foot traffic where possible, including installing workstations, control panels and equipment away from forklift traffic aisles, or having barriers.

• Use extreme caution on grades, ramps or inclines. Normally, you should travel only straight up or down.

• Repair and maintain cracks, crumbling edges and other defects on loading docks, aisles and other operating surfaces.

• When dismounting from a forklift, always set the parking brake, lower the forks, and neutralize the controls.

Don'ts

• Do not raise or lower the forks while the forklift is moving.

• Do not handle loads that are heavier than the rated weight capacity of the forklift.

• Do not drive up to anyone standing in front of a bench or other fixed object.

• Do not use a forklift to elevate workers who are standing on the forks.

• Do not elevate a worker on a platform unless the vehicle is directly below the work area.

Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2001-109