In June of this year, safety replaced speed in the forklift rodeo section of the Blue Mountains Occupational Safety and Health Conference in Pendleton, Oregon.

Chris Evans, a forklift operator and winner of Elgin Plywood in Elgin, Oregon, praised the organizers for their efforts.

Evans said: "They increase safety by constantly telling you to check your shoulders without raising your head, fasten your seat belt, leave the forklift at three points of contact, and not to drive with the forklift lifted."

These are just some of the best practices that can be used to promote the safety of forklift work. Safety Health consulted with safety professionals, agency officials, and the National Safety Commission to help develop the following five forklift safety guidelines.

OSHA estimates that 35,000 serious injuries involving forklifts and 62,000 non-serious injuries occur every year. In addition, data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics show that in 2015, 96 US workers were killed in accidents involving forklifts.

The safety guidelines issued by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industry pointed out that workers without proper training and knowledge of forklift operation, as well as operators who operate forklifts carelessly, are at increased risk of injury or death.

The commitment to safety begins with proper training. The guide further states that “untrained forklift operators may be as dangerous as unlicensed motor vehicle drivers.” OSHA’s Powered Industrial Truck Standard – 29 CFR 1910.178 – stipulates that “Employers should ensure that every powered industrial truck operator has Ability to safely operate powered industrial trucks, as evidenced by the successful completion of training and evaluation outlined in the standard".

OSHA requires training programs to combine formal teaching (such as lectures and written materials) with practical training and workplace performance evaluation. Drew Kertzman, a safety and health technology expert at L&I in Washington, said that the availability of qualified experts and resources in recent years has improved training. Nevertheless, operators should still pay attention to the differences between various types and models of forklifts and forklifts.

"The gap I have seen in the past is just assuming that once you have been trained in a forklift, you will automatically know how to operate all forklifts," Kertzman said. "As you (forklifts) get bigger and bigger, they will operate differently, and as you move from model to model, they will also be different."

The operator is urged to check the forklift before each job, first check the items that can be monitored when the engine is not running. Check points should include seat belts, tires, lights, horns, brakes, backup alarms, and liquid levels, as well as the moving and load supporting components of the forklift.

Kertzman said his agency usually issues subpoenas to companies that neglect to keep forklifts in good working order.

"Having a dilapidated truck parked there, any inspector can spot six of its problems 40 feet away, which is a low-key result," Kertzman said.

The Washington L&I citation process involves discussing areas that violate regulations, explaining to employers how the organization has failed to comply and providing possible solutions to the problem.

"The employer finally decides what they are going to do, and then make these changes in time," Kertzman said.

The National Safety Council’s training program for industrial and rough terrain forklift operators includes a discussion that may sound rudimentary to some, but is essential to promote the safety of drivers, workers, and bystanders: although forklifts and Personal vehicles have some similarities, but they are ultimately completely different.

NSC urges operators to wear seat belts at all times. If this is not done, the operator may be ejected from the protective cage of the forklift when the forklift is overturned, which may cause serious injury or death.

The operator should always pay attention to the surrounding environment of the work site, because the load or environment may obstruct the line of sight.

Evans emphasized the importance of drivers paying attention to pedestrians or other workers and making eye contact with pedestrians or other workers during operation. OSHA best practices for maintaining visibility include:

NSC stated that the center of gravity of the unloaded forklift (the weight is concentrated in the same location) is usually higher than the center of gravity of the personal vehicle. The load has its own center of gravity. Once picked up, the combined center of gravity between the load and the truck is established.

The forklift is built on a three-point suspension system, and its physical characteristics are similar to a triangle. The support points are located at both ends of the front axle, and the other is located in the center of the rear axle. NSC stated that this forms a "stability triangle" within which the operator must stay within the triangle when the truck is driving.

Many factors can cause the forklift to leave the stability triangle, including unstable, heavy, wide, or elevated loads; quick starting and stopping; fast cornering; and rough terrain.

Washington L&I provides some tips to help prevent forklifts from tipping over:

OSHA recommends that operators check the cargo before picking up the cargo with a fork to ensure the stability and size of the cargo can be safely transported. Move straight before the load and separate the forks as much as possible before driving the forks under the load. Make sure not to overload and the load is centered.

Tilt the forklift mast back slightly before lifting. Lift the load enough to clean the floor or rack. For stacks, OSHA recommends lifting the load above the stack below by approximately 10 cm or 4 inches.

Washington L&I stipulates that when placing a load, the operator should face the placement destination. Make sure the area is flat and stable, and do not place heavy objects on light loads. Lower the fork after placing the load, and then return the forklift. As always, ensure that the load is stable.

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