Conduct a pre-trip inspection before every shift. Check that the forks are even and that any wear is within acceptable limits. Inspect the overhead guard for structural integrity. It's not meant to absorb the full impact of a load, but it can guard against small falling objects.
Print and reuse these inspection checklists as often as you need to. Chose whichever format you'd prefer below and click to instantly download. Whether that's moving between areas of a warehouse or into and out of semi-trailers, operators must be vigilant in making sure it's safe to proceed. The weight and forward movement of a forklift entering a trailer or truck can cause it to lurch forward if the wheels aren't secure.
Slow down when approaching the dock. Check for liquids on the ground and clean them up before proceeding. Inspect the floor of the truck or trailer before driving on it. Missing boards, uneven floors, or debris can lead to a fall. The flooring of trucks, trailers, and railroad cars shall be checked for breaks and weakness before they are driven onto. Ensure the dock plate is properly placed and rated for the weight of the truck plus the load.
Dock plates can shift if not properly positioned. And they can buckle if their weight capacity is exceeded.
Head trauma, broken bones, internal bleeding, and even impalement can happen in personnel who choose to "ride the forks. Slow down and don't cut corners. Take the time to select the right tools for the job, even if it takes extra time. Use the proper equipment. A scissor lift, man lift, or other purpose-built mobile elevating work platform MEWP are far better options for safely reaching heights. Use an OSHA-compliant lifting cage.
It should have guardrails and a barrier separating the personnel from the mast. Personnel in the cage should also wear a harness. Operators need to be aware of their sides and rear blind spots to avoid colliding with pedestrians, products, equipment, and infrastructure.
Only travel in the direction you can see. If you have a tall load on the forks, drive backward until you reach your destination. Have a colleague act as a spotter. If you can't see forward and it's not possible to drive backward, have a trusted coworker guide you. Keep the forks low to the ground. Never drive with an elevated mast. It not only reduces visibility, but it can cause the lift truck to become unstable and tip over.
Be aware of tailspin and clearance when turning. Forklifts steer with the rear axle. If the operator isn't paying attention to their surroundings, the counterweight can ram into pedestrians, damage products, or even take down an entire storage rack:. When fork trucks are left to languish under the conditions of work, breakdowns and safety issues are sure to result. Conduct pre-shift inspections. OSHA requires that operators check their trucks before operating. This exercise can help identify problems both big and small.
And correcting those issues is key to the continued optimal and safe operation of the lift. Such examination shall be made at least daily. Where industrial trucks are used on a round-the-clock basis, they shall be examined after each shift. Defects when found shall be immediately reported and corrected. Regularly service your equipment. Sign up for a preventative maintenance PM program from a quality service center and keep to it.
Pull equipment from service until any issues are corrected. If major problems are found, don't operate the lift. Lock and tag the truck out and schedule the repairs. While battery-powered forklifts are steadily becoming the preferred choice for many businesses, internal combustion IC fork trucks are still in wide use.
Fortunately, advances in emissions technology over the years have led IC lift trucks to produce fewer and fewer emissions. Ensure operators are aware of the risks of confined spaces.
Using lift trucks in storage sheds, semi-trailers, and small rooms can cause a quick build-up of lethal carbon monoxide CO gas. Install carbon monoxide monitors. These can alert everyone in the area to dangerous gas build-ups and give time to evacuate. Schedule regular maintenance. Maintenance routines should include adjusting the fuel mixture and checking for exhaust leaks. Look before putting the truck into motion. Operators should scan their surroundings, especially behind them, before putting the truck into gear and moving.
Never drive up to a pedestrian standing next to a fixed object. If the brakes fail or the floor is wet, the truck will crash into the pedestrian, crushing them in the process.
Never leave the operator's compartment during operation of the truck. Don't put any body parts inside the mast or between the mast and the firewall of the truck.
Properly secure the load. Heavy or awkward loads can come loose, landing on pedestrians or the operator. OSHA's most recent estimates indicate that between 35, and 62, injuries occur every year involving forklifts. The U. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in , there were 9, forklift-related injuries serious enough to cause employees to take time off work. In , that number went down to 7, Forklift injuries tend to be more serious than other workplace injuries.
The median number of days off work was 13, compared to 8 days for all other cases. This uneven weight distribution can make a forklift difficult to handle. A forklift is turned by the rear wheels, causing the rear end to swing outward. This i ncreases the chance of tipping over during tight turns. Within that training there needs to be two main categories: Truck Safety: There needs to be special focus given to truck specific topics such as controls, instrumentation, steering, visibility, capacity and stability limitations.
Some of the suggested areas of focus include: Is the horn functioning? Are there any leaks? Are the brakes parking brake included working properly? Is the steering system responsive and conducive to ease of control?
Related Posts. UK In both the UK and Sweden, figures show that forklifts account for more workplace accidents than any other machine.
In the UK alone, forklift accidents result in hospital visits a year, which, according to the British Safety Council, is five British workers a day. The most vulnerable are workplace walkers, who make up 57 per cent of those injured in the UK and 80 per cent of those injured in the USA.
In their study, the British Safety Council claim that many of the accidents could have been avoided if companies had been more stringent in cordoning off walking and driving areas. In addition to the suffering that would be avoided, the overall cost of accidents would fall by USD Australia Australia is one country that has steadily reduced the number of forklift accidents.
In , the number of seriously injured people was registered at 1, Seven years later it had dropped to
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