Each year in the United States, nearly 100 workers are killed and another 20,000 are seriously injured in forklift-related incidents. The frequency of forklift related injuries indicate that forklifts are not only an extremely popular productivity tool in the workplace but also one that needs to be taken seriously in terms of worker safety.
Most forklift related fatalities occur when a worker is crushed by a forklift that has overturned or fallen from a loading dock. Other causes of injury occur by workers on foot being struck by forklifts, hand injuries, and workers falling from forklifts. Reducing the risk of forklift incidents requires a safe work environment, a safe forklift, comprehensive worker training, safe work practices, and systematic traffic management.
To help you with worker training, My Workplace Safety put together three safety training courses for Forklifts:

• Basic Forklift Safety Training (available in English and Spanish)
• Forklift Safety Training for Supervisors
• Forklift Refueling (available in English and Spanish)

Hand out these simple safety tips to all your employees who work near forklifts.

• Do not allow employees to operate a forklift unless they have been trained and licensed.
• Use seatbelts if they are available.
• Report to your supervisor any damage or problems that occur to a forklift during each shift.
• Do not jump from an overturning, sit-down type forklift. Stay with the truck, holding on firmly and leaning in the opposite direction of the overturn.
• Exit from a stand-up type forklift with rear-entry access by stepping backward if a lateral tipover occurs.
• Use extreme caution on grades or ramps.
• On grades, tilt the load back and raise it only as far as needed to clear the road surface.
• Do not raise or lower the forks while the forklift is moving.
• Do not handle loads that are heavier than the weight capacity of the forklift
• Operate the forklift at a speed that will permit it to be stopped safely.
• Slow down and sound the horn at cross aisles and other locations where vision is obstructed.
• Look toward the travel path and keep a clear view of it.
• Do not allow passengers to ride on forklift trucks unless a seat is provided.
• When dismounting from a forklift, set the parking brake, lower the forks or lifting carriage, and neutralize the controls.
• Do not drive up to anyone standing in front of a bench or other fixed object.
• Do not use a forklift to elevate workers who are standing on the forks.
• Elevate a worker on a platform only when the vehicle is directly below the work area.
• Whenever a truck is used to elevate personnel, secure the elevating platform to the lifting carriage or forks of the forklift.
• Use a restraining means such as rails, chains, or a body belt with a lanyard or deceleration device for the worker(s) on the platform.
• Do not drive to another location with the work platform elevated.

Other requirements related to Forklift training and operations:

Training
OSHA has promulgated the Final Rule for Powered Industrial Truck Operator Training
[29 CFR 1910.178(l)], which became effective March 1, 1999. The standard requires operator training and licensing as well as periodic evaluations of operator performance. The standard also addresses specific training requirements for truck operation, loading, seat belts, overhead protective structures, alarms, and maintenance of industrial trucks. Refresher training is required if the operator is observed operating the truck in an unsafe manner, is involved in an accident or near miss, or is assigned a different type of truck.

Forklift Maintenance
OSHA requires that industrial trucks be examined before being placed in service. They shall not be placed in service if the examination shows any condition adversely affecting the safety of the vehicle. Such examination shall be made at least daily. When industrial trucks are used around the clock, they shall be examined after each shift. When defects are found, they shall be immediately reported and corrected [29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7)].
Establish a vehicle inspection and maintenance program.
Retrofit old sit-down type forklifts with an operator restraint system if possible.

When it comes to Forklifts always remember to: Inspect, Correct, and Train!
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This entry was posted on Thursday, June 15th, 2006 at 2:23 pm and is filed under Safety Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.