Forklifts are powerful tools that allow your workers to quickly shift and move loads in warehouses, industrial plants, and more. But they can be dangerous when they are misused. Each year, forklift accidents cause deaths, life-changing injuries, and damage to products and property.
Make sure you always train your workers properly to control accident rates – and make sure they follow OSHA forklift safety rules. In this blog, Forkliftsafety.com will discuss 10 OSHA forklift guidelines to follow.
1. Wear Your Seatbelt on Sit-Down Rider Forklifts
If you are in a moving vehicle, you should be wearing your seatbelt. That is true of cars, and it is true of forklifts, too. Always put your seatbelt on when operating a sit-down rider forklift.
2. No Horseplay or Misuse of Forklifts
Forklifts are tools. They are meant for a job. Do not use them for anything else. No racing, no donuts, no horseplay, or misuse of any kind. This is the best way to keep you and your employees safe.
3. Sound the Horn at Blind Intersections & Corners
Impact injuries from people getting hit with forklifts are very common in large warehouses and industrial areas with blind intersections and corners. Always sound the horn properly to warn other vehicles and people about your approach.
4. No Riders
This goes along with “no horseplay.” Do not let anyone ride on the forklift unless it is a two-seater model with proper seatbelts and is intended to have multiple riders or operators.
5. Chock Truck & Trailer Wheels Before Entering with Forklift
If a truck or trailer begins rolling while you are inside with a forklift, this could lead to a serious accident. Always chock truck and trailer wheels properly before entering.
6. Do Not Raise or Lower Loads While Traveling
Raising or lowering loads while traveling with a forklift is dangerous. Shifting weight could lead to loss of control, or the load falling from the forklift arms. Only raise or lower loads when stationary.
7. Lower Forks to The Ground When Parking
This helps prevent the forklift from obstructing traffic and ensures that workers are not in danger of tripping on the forks or accidentally walking into them unexpectedly.
8. Do Not Raise Any Person on The Forks
Never raise any person on the forks for any reason. Forks are not a stable platform for work. Use an appropriate tool like a ladder or cherry picker instead.
9. Inspect Condition of Forklift Before Each Shift
This ensures the machine is in proper operating condition and is free of safety hazards before you begin to operate it. Placing a point-by-point checklist in the forklift can be helpful to ensure workers follow this protocol.
10. No Smoking in Refueling or Charging Areas
Smoking could lead to the ignition of fuel, batteries, and other potentially dangerous, flammable, and explosive materials. Make sure you do not smoke or vape in any fueling or recharging areas.
Make Sure Your Workers Stay Safe And 100% OSHA 2023 Compliant
No business wants to be found in violation of OSHA forklift safety rules, as this can lead to stiff penalties and regulatory issues – and nobody wants to put their workers at risk due to poor workplace forklift protocols.
And proper training is the cornerstone of forklift safety. By training in advance, you can reduce the risk of accidents, comply with OSHA and other workplace safety regulations, and make sure your workers get home safely every night.
So, do not wait. At forkliftsafety.com, we offer 2023 OSHA Compliant Training Kits, and we have decades of expertise in producing forklift safety training material. Contact us online to explore our courses and materials in more detail, and to get what you need to ensure you follow OSHA forklift safety rules.
<strong>Forklift Training Kit</strong>
