Order Toll Free: (800) 494-3225 | Customer Service: (702) 294-3970 | Our Store 

ON SALE

FORKLIFT SAFETY TRAINING KITS

Purchase Now 

NEW

VIDEO USB DRIVE NOW AVAILABLE

Purchase Now 

Shopping Cart
OSHA Forklift Safety Training
The #1 OSHA Compliant Forklift Training Kit

Forklift Safety – 5 Forklift Safety Tips to Avoid Injury

It pays to be safe, especially when operating machinery like a forklift. They’re one of the most commonly used pieces of equipment on worksites across a wide variety of industries, but workers simply being familiar with them doesn’t eliminate risk. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 9,124 workplace forklift injuries or illnesses in 2017, 74 of which were fatal. To help reduce these and keep your worksite safe, here are 5 of the most important forklift safety tips.

Forklift Safety Tip #1 – Become Familiar with The Different Classes of Forklift

OSHA recognizes seven different types of forklifts, each with its own structure, speed limit, weight limit, and turning radius that operators should be aware of. If you’re unsure of what kinds of forklifts there are in your workplace, you can reference the images on OSHA’s website and check the truck specifications on the nameplate of the forklift.

Forklift Safety Tip #2 – Pay Attention to the Stability

Quick turns, especially when carrying a heavy load, can easily make a forklift unstable and tip over or cause the operator to overcompensate and lose control. Thus, keeping the machine stable and maintaining the center of gravity is important. Forklifts have a three-point suspension system, called a stability triangle, that operators must stay in or else the machine can tip over.

Forklift Safety Tip #3 – Implement Speed Limits

Going too fast on a forklift can easily cause it to become unstable or the load to tip over, and dangerous accidents can happen if the operator has to quickly stop to avoid hitting something. We recommend you tell operators to drive slowly and limit how fast they can go to 10 or 15 MPH, especially in highly trafficked areas.

Forklift Safety Tip #4 – Give Operators the Best View Possible

Obviously, the load being carried will often obstruct an operator’s view, but that should be the only thing. There should be no non-essential items that inhibit their view, and forklifts should always have rear view mirrors to help boost visibility.

Forklift Safety Tip #5 – Avoid Hazardous Areas

Operators and all other staff should avoid walking under the forks and attachments, especially when the machine is carrying a load, because there’s a chance it could fall off and cause serious injury. Additionally, hands and feet should be kept clear from the mast because a moving mast could cause an injury.

We recommend you give your operators a refresher on forklift safety basics like these annually, and our training kits, videos, and other materials can help you do so. Contact us today to see how we can help make your workplace more safe!

Have any Question or Comment?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Forklift training

YOUR SOLUTION for 2 Hour OSHA COMPLIANT TRAININGOur Forklift Safety Training Kits!

NO OSHA Instructor Certification Required!

Call or order online today! 

               

Secure Online Ordering

 

Fed-Ex Ground Same Day Shipping!
(800) 494-3225

Shop Forklift Safety Training Materials!

Customers

Testimonials

Material Handling Solutions

Material Handling Solutions

Website

ForkliftSafety.com's OSHA Compliant forklift training kit is highly recommended by large liability insurance companies to their insured clients. Programs for the safe training of forklift operators has been their only business for nearly 20 years!

California Rental Association

California Rental Association

ForkliftSafety.com was named to present the 2018 OSHA Compliant Forklift Operator Training Seminar January 22, 2018 for attendees at the California Rental Association's sponsored event "The Rental Rally" at the SouthPoint Casino, Las Vegas.

Showcased Products

Material Handling Network
Material Handling Network has been delivering comprehensive coverage of the material handling industry for over 30 years.
Keytroller
Keytroller helps create a culture of safety in the workplace with electronic safety devices for forklifts and heavy equipment.