Have you ever seen a forklift accident? Well, about 35,000 people get serious injuries from forklift accidents in the United States every year.
Forklift accidents can happen for several reasons, but most result from either operator error or equipment failure. That’s why it’s important to follow forklift safety tips to help prevent accidents and injuries.
Here are seven forklift safety tips to keep in mind:
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1. Make Sure Operators Receive Forklift Training and License
When forklifts are poorly operated, serious injuries can result. In fact, forklift accidents cause an average of 85 deaths every year.
Operators should have a license to operate forklifts and receive training on best practices for safe work procedures and equipment operation. They also need to be trained on safely lifting loads and avoiding collisions with pedestrians or other objects/vehicles while operating a forklift truck.
In addition, operators must understand the weight limits associated with different types of forks. That way, they know if their load is too heavy before attempting to transport it from one storage facility/warehouse area to another.
Forklifts that aren’t equipped with anti-tip bars can easily tip over if the forklift operator tries to lift too much weight.
2. Ensure Forklifts Are Inspected Regularly
Forklift inspection is a critical forklift safety tip to follow. Forklift inspections help operators identify any problems with the forklift truck before an accident occurs.
Inspections should be done at least once every three months and more frequently if the forklift experiences frequent wear and tear. This may apply when forklifts are used in a busy warehouse.
During maintenance checks, forklift inspectors need to make sure all parts of the equipment work properly. They should inspect tires for excessive wear or damage to prevent punctures while transporting loads.
When forklifts are exposed to excessive heat or cold, parts can expand and shrink excessively. This is why forklift inspectors need to check the tightness of all bolts, screws, chains, and other critical components that help hold forklift trucks together.
When these parts aren’t properly tightened down, they may fall off or malfunction while the forklift is in use. This can cause a serious accident.
Operators should also check fluid levels, such as engine oil and hydraulic fluid, to ensure they’re at the correct level before taking the forklift truck for a spin.
If forklifts are not properly inspected regularly, it increases the likelihood of an accident happening.
3. Working in an Area That Has Harmful Substances
Working with forklifts can be dangerous if the operator is exposed to harmful substances like flammable liquids/chemicals. The forklift truck’s engine could ignite these hazardous materials causing a serious fire hazard.
If you work at a warehouse or industrial storage facility, make sure your forklift safety training includes information on how to avoid working around chemicals and other hazards. This way, operators know what precautions they need to take if the forklifts will be placed near containers of potentially harmful substances.
When it comes to preventing accidents and injuries caused by forklifts, forklift safety training is essential.
It’s also important for operators to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) if they use the forklifts around harmful substances. Some common types of PPE include safety goggles, hard hats, and chemical-resistant gloves.
4. Minimize Operating Time
If possible, operators should avoid operating forklifts for many hours in a day. The human body can only handle so much stress on our muscles and skeletal system before feeling some discomfort or pain.
When humans become fatigued, they’re less likely to remain focused on their job responsibilities. They also tend to make mistakes that can lead to serious accidents happening.
For example, if you lose focus while driving your forklift truck, there’s a chance you might smash into another vehicle or run over someone’s foot.
Operating forklifts requires physical strength— especially when lifting heavy loads. That’s why you should operate a forklift for a maximum of eight hours per day according to OSHA regulations.
If an operator must work more than this, they must take breaks to avoid fatigue and stay focused while working on their forklift truck.
5. Use a Seat Belt
This may seem like common sense, but many forklift operators don’t wear seat belts while driving.
Forklift trucks can travel at high speeds, and if the operator is thrown from the vehicle during an accident, they could suffer serious injuries.
It’s also important to keep in mind that forklifts can overturn very easily. So, operators should always use the seat belt to avoid being thrown out of the truck in the event of an accident.
Wearing a seat belt not only keeps you safe while driving your forklift truck but also shows that you’re taking safety seriously. This sends a message to your employer that you’re willing to do whatever it takes to stay safe on the job.
6. Follow the Rules of the Road
Just like when you’re driving a car, forklift operators must obey the rules of the road.
This means that they should never drive their truck on sidewalks or crosswalks and should always use turn signals when changing lanes.
Operators should also be aware of their surroundings at all times. For example, if you’re backing up your forklift truck, make sure to check behind you to ensure no one is walking in that area.
It’s also important to remember that forklifts are very large vehicles and take up a lot of space on the road. So, operators need to give other drivers plenty of space to avoid accidents.
7. Purchase Forklifts From Reputable Brands
When purchasing a forklift, it’s important to buy from a reputable brand. Some brands are known for their quality and safety, while others have a history of producing faulty equipment.
It’s also important to check the reviews of any forklift before making your purchase. This will help you determine whether the forklift is safe to use and has all the features you need.
If you’re looking for a new forklift, take some time to research different brands and models before making your purchase. Buying from a reputable brand can help ensure that your forklift truck is safe to operate.
View these forklift brands as a good starting point.
Forklift Safety Tips You Must Know
The forklift safety tips mentioned above are just a few of the many things that operators should keep in mind when operating these heavy-duty vehicles. It’s important to remember it only takes one mistake made by an operator for something bad to happen. So, always be cautious and follow this forklift safety checklist.
We hope this blog post has shown you how to use a forklift safely. For more information, keep reading our articles.
