Forklift Safety Precautions and Best Practices
Safe forklift practices when handling loads are essential to prevent accidents, injuries, and damage to goods and property.
Follow safe operating procedures for picking up, moving, putting down and stacking loads.
To prevent forklift accidents, be sure to follow the guidelines and best practices below:
- Always use seatbelts when operating a forklift.
- Do not allow employees to drive or ride in unsafe vehicles.
- Require employees to report any vehicle-related safety problems.
- Secure equipment and tools to prevent them from moving in a vehicle or make sure a barrier is in place to protect the passengers.
- Ensure that vehicles have working horns that can be heard above any surrounding noise.
- Make sure there is a backup alarm on any vehicle that has an obstructed view to the rear.
- Make sure the backup alarm can be heard above surrounding noise unless there's a spotter or it's certain that no one can enter the danger area.
- Train and certify all operators to ensure that they operate forklifts safely.
- Do not allow any employee under 18 years old to operate a forklift.
Do not allow any employee under 18 years old to operate a forklift.
- Properly maintain haulage equipment, including tires.
- Do not modify or make attachments that affect the capacity and safe operation of the forklift without written approval from the forklift's manufacturer.
- Conduct corrective and preventive maintenance promptly.
- Follow safe operating procedures for picking up, moving, putting down and stacking loads.
- Do not exceed the 5-mph speed limit, and slowdown in congested or slippery surface areas.
- Prohibit operator speeding, stunt driving and horseplay. Retrain or discipline as appropriate, and document.
- Do not handle loads that are heavier than the capacity of the industrial truck.
- Remove unsafe or defective forklift trucks from service.
- Do not travel with elevated forks or loads.
Do not travel with elevated forks or loads.
- Assure that a rollover protective structure is in place.
- Make certain that the reverse signal alarm is operational and audible above the surrounding noise level.
- Forklift truck operators demonstrate competence by successful completion of training and evaluation of driving skills.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
7-5. What action should you take if you see a forklift carrying a load with forks elevated?
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