Forklift Safety/Power Industrial Trucks.
Each year, tens of thousands of injuries related to powered industrial trucks (PIT), or forklifts, in the world workplaces. Many employees
are injured when lift trucks are inadvertently driven off loading docks, lifts fall between docks and an unsecured trailer, they are struck by a lift truck, or when they fall while on elevated pallets and tines. Most incidents also involve property damage, including damage to overhead sprinklers, racking, pipes, walls, and machinery. Unfortunately, most employee injuries and property damage can be attributed to lack of safe operating procedures, lack of safety-rule enforcement, and insufficient or inadequate training.
are injured when lift trucks are inadvertently driven off loading docks, lifts fall between docks and an unsecured trailer, they are struck by a lift truck, or when they fall while on elevated pallets and tines. Most incidents also involve property damage, including damage to overhead sprinklers, racking, pipes, walls, and machinery. Unfortunately, most employee injuries and property damage can be attributed to lack of safe operating procedures, lack of safety-rule enforcement, and insufficient or inadequate training.
Caution!
It is a violation of Federal law for anyone UNDER 18 years of age to operate a forklift or for anyone OVER 18 years of age who is not properly trained and certified to do so.
Forklift Safety.
1. Never allow anyone who is under the age of 18 and/or not specifically trained in forklift operation to operate a forklift.
2. When driving a forklift, never exceed 5mph, and always slow down in areas that have slippery floors or are likely to be congested with people, materials, or other transport vehicles.
3. Properly maintain forklifts, and always remember to do a walk-around check for hazardous conditions before you operate one.
4. Never operate a damaged or defective forklift until it has been adequately repaired and proven safe for use.
5. Make sure that aisles and loading docks that are traversed by forklifts are kept clear, allowing plenty of space for a forklift to safely maneuver through.
6. Require all forklift operators to utilize the manufacturer-installed seatbelts.
7. Keep your warehouse well ventilated to allow the dissipation of forklift fumes and carbon monoxide, and ensure that employees are fully trained on the dangers of inhaling excessive amounts of forklift exhaust.
8. Never attempt to lift, stack, or transport loads that exceed the forklift’s weight capacity.
9. Maintain a zero-tolerance policy for“stunt driving,” racing, and any other forklift-related horseplay.
Provide proper PPE (like rubber gloves and safety glasses) at forklift battery charging stations, to protect workers in the event that they are exposed to battery acid or other chemicals.
2. When driving a forklift, never exceed 5mph, and always slow down in areas that have slippery floors or are likely to be congested with people, materials, or other transport vehicles.
3. Properly maintain forklifts, and always remember to do a walk-around check for hazardous conditions before you operate one.
4. Never operate a damaged or defective forklift until it has been adequately repaired and proven safe for use.
5. Make sure that aisles and loading docks that are traversed by forklifts are kept clear, allowing plenty of space for a forklift to safely maneuver through.
6. Require all forklift operators to utilize the manufacturer-installed seatbelts.
7. Keep your warehouse well ventilated to allow the dissipation of forklift fumes and carbon monoxide, and ensure that employees are fully trained on the dangers of inhaling excessive amounts of forklift exhaust.
8. Never attempt to lift, stack, or transport loads that exceed the forklift’s weight capacity.
9. Maintain a zero-tolerance policy for“stunt driving,” racing, and any other forklift-related horseplay.
Provide proper PPE (like rubber gloves and safety glasses) at forklift battery charging stations, to protect workers in the event that they are exposed to battery acid or other chemicals.