Week 9 - Forklift Safety

Thankfully competitions between forklifts and Remember:
pedestrians don’t happen every day. But when Always report any unsafe
they do, the forklift will always win. To prevent working conditions to your
injury and even death, pedestrians should use the
following tips: supervisor!!!

 Keep a safe distance from the forklift whenever Please email any safety
possible. suggestions or concerns to your

 Always let the driver know when you are in the HR Department:
area. Attempt to make eye contact with the [email protected]
driver to ensure they have seen you.
or
 Be cautious near blind corners, doorways, and [email protected]
narrow aisles.

 Wear high-visibility clothing.
 Do not walk near or under raised forks.
 Treat intersections like a public street: stop, look

left, look right, and look left again. Listen for
forklifts, the proceed when it’s safe.
 If the area has a crosswalk, use it!
 Until you make eye contact with the driver,
assume he or she has not seen you.
 No matter who has the “right of way”, don’t insist
on it. A pedestrian is no match against a forklift.
 Keep aisles free of obstructions so the forklift
drivers have a clear path.
 Most importantly, pay attention to your
surroundings. Don’t look at your phone or get
distracted chatting with coworkers. Watch where
you are going and stay out of danger zones.

Forklifts are exceptionally useful workplace • Wear appropriate clothing including close-toed • Operate a forklift if you are under 18 years old.
vehicles as long as they are used safely and shoes. (This is an OSHA violation).
appropriately by operators who are trained and
certified to use them. A forklift is a powered truck • Carry out a pre-shift check of the forklift. • Operate a forklift unless you are trained, certified
used to carry, lift, stack or tier materials. They • Report any defects immediately to your and authorized to do so.
can include pallet trucks, rider operated forklifts,
fork trucks, or lift trucks. supervisor. • Use a forklift or equipment you know is not
Though beneficial, forklifts can also be extremely • Access the load before lifting. Check weight, working properly.
dangerous. According to OSHA, they account for
25% of injuries at work and about 85 fatalities per size, load center and security. • Operate controls from outside the cab.
year. Most workplace accidents involve people • Make sure load is stable and does not exceed • Start or stop suddenly.
being hit or run over by forklift trucks (typically • Travel with a load that blocks your view.
when the forklift is reversing) because the driver capacity of the forklift. • Travel with a raised load, unless your forklift is
did not see them. • Make sure pallets are in good condition.
Employees have legal duties to use work • Make sure your work path is free of obstructions. specifically designed to do this.
equipment in a safe manner in line with • Make sure the load does not obstruct your view. • Lift a person with the forklift.
procedures developed by their employer. The • Look all around you before moving. • Make abrupt or quick turns.
following tips will help you and those you work • Look in the direction of travel. • Travel on uneven ground.
with stay safe around forklifts: • Travel at a speed suitable for the location and the • Turn the vehicle around on a ramp or slope.
• Run over unprotected cables.
load carried. • Lift loads greater than the capacity of the forklift.
• Travel with the forks lowered, but clear of the • Leave the vehicle with the load raised.
• Allow people to walk under raised forks or loads.
ground. • Pick up a load if someone is standing close to it.
• Watch out for pedestrians. Use a spotter if you’re • Leave the forklift on a slope, unless in the case of

in a congested area. an emergency.
• Position forks properly and as widely as possible. • Try to carry out maintenance repairs.
• Make sure forklift is stopped before raising the • Use a mobile phone while operating the forklift.
• Operate a forklift under the influence of alcohol or
load.
• Avoid sudden stops and/or violent breaking. drugs (prescribed or illegal).
• Take extra care when driving on wet, slippery or
NEVER DRIVE A
loose surfaces. FORKLIFT WITHOUT A
• Slow down at corners, doorways and danger VALID CERTIFICATION

spots. IF YOU NEED CERTIFIED PLEASE
• Sound the horn several times when approaching EMAIL:

blind corners, exits and entrances. [email protected]
• Lower loads at a safe speed.
• Switch off and remove the key before leaving the

forklift. Place the key in a safe location.
• Apply the parking brake before leaving the forklift.
• Report any accidents or near misses to your

supervisor.