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Home » Consumer Information » Occupational Safety » Construction

Forklifts

Approximately 100 employees are killed and nearly 95,000 others are injured every year due to accidents involving industrial trucks, of which forklift turnovers account for a significant number of the fatalities. In order to prevent forklift accidents, all operators must be trained and certified, and employees under the age of 18 should not be allowed to operate a forklift.

Safe driving is the best way to prevent forklift accidents. In order to safely drive and operate a forklift, the following rules must be observed:

  • Always wear a seatbelt.
  • Never exceed 5 mph.
  • Avoid turning on ramps and inclines.
  • Maintain a safe distance from ramp and platform edges.
  • Slow down and sound horn where vision is obstructed.
  • Always look straight forward when driving.
  • Do not move forks when forklift is moving.
  • Stop to allow people to cross and lower the load to the ground.
  • Back down grades when loaded.
  • Watch for overhead obstructions.
  • Avoid traveling with elevated loads.
  • Space forks correctly to fully support load.
  • The load should lean against the backrest with the mast tilted back.
  • Move only once the load is completely stable.
  • Drive in reverse if the load obstructs vision.
  • The reverse signal alarm should be operational and audible.
  • Forklifts should not handle loads that are heavier than the capacity of an industrial truck.
  • All stunt driving and fooling around is prohibited.
  • When leaving the forklift, straighten the wheels, put controls in neutral, apply the breaks and turn off the motor.
  • When parked, loads should be lowered to the ground and empty forks should be tilted forward with the forks touching the ground.

Forklift maintenance also plays a big part in construction-site safety. Employers must take the following steps to ensure that forklifts are well maintained and safe to use:

  • Haulage equipment and tires must be maintained.
  • Manufacturer's manual must be consulted for maintenance instructions.
  • Forklift must be examined for defects before use. All defects must be corrected immediately.
  • Remove unsafe or defective forklifts from service.
  • Engine must be turned off while fueling.
  • Make sure roll over protective structure is in place.
  • Do not modify or make additions to forklifts without written approval from the manufacturer.

Because forklift turnovers account for a significant number of fatalities, it is of the utmost importance to prevent these accidents by ensuring that the load is balanced and not elevated and that caution is taken when making sharp turns or working on ramps or uneven surfaces. Should the forklift begin to tip over, the driver should stay in his seat, hold on tightly to the steering wheel, lean in the opposite direction of the overturn and keep body inside the frame and braced against the seat.