Skip to main content

Importance of Forklift Safety

 Forklifts are one of the most used pieces of equipment on your worksite. Just like with any industrial equipment, they can pose a safety risk if not used by properly trained crews. According to Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), an estimated 34,900 serious injuries and 85 fatal accidents are caused by forklifts every year. 

Tips for Forklift Safety

At Trupar America, we’ve put together some helpful tips to keep you and your crew safe while operating a forklift. 


Get Proper Training

With 25% of forklift accidents being caused by inadequate training, it is important to only allow those who have been trained and licensed to run a forklift. Make sure your operators have a forklift certification, and be sure to evaluate employee performance once every three years. You can supplement their training with demonstrations, lectures, videos, and more. 

Perform Daily Equipment Inspections

Your crew should know to inspect the forklift prior to every use. We recommend that the shift supervisor perform daily checks. They can then identify and log any problems or defects they find. If the forklift requires repairs, it should not be operated. We recommend that you check the following:

  • Check for oil, water, and radiator leaks.
  • Check for any potential hazards.
  • Inspect the overhead guard and mast for any damage.
  • Check tire pressure and fluid levels.
  • Check the forks to make sure they are straight and without any cracks or distortion.
  • Test the controls (brakes, lights, horn, steering wheel) to ensure they are working properly. 
Wear Appropriate Clothing 

Proper clothing for forklift operators includes:
  • Safety shoes
  • Hard hats
  • High-visibility jacket
Be sure that your forklift operators also tuck in any loose clothing to keep it from being caught on the machine. 

Know the Class of the Forklift

Based on information from OSHA, there are several different forklift types and classifications to keep in mind. Each type has its own weight limit, structure, turning radius, usage, and traveling speed, so it is crucial to know the forklift’s class prior to operating. 

Use a Floor Marking System

To increase worker safety, we recommend that you use yellow to mark physical hazards, such as areas where stumbling or falling can occur. You will also want to use red to make fire equipment, fire hazards, and emergency switches. 

We also recommend that you place signs and way finders through your worksite to keep pedestrians out of the way of forklift paths while also keeping the forklift on safe routes and improving the flow of machinery and foot traffic. 

Maintain Complete Visibility

When operating the forklift, the forks should be kept low to the ground so you have clear forward visibility. For times when the load restricts your forward visibility, you should operate the equipment in reverse. When positioning a load, you want to be sure that you have a clear view of the rack. OSHA best practices for visibility include:

  • Make eye contact with other workers and pedestrians.
  • Maintain your look in the direction of travel. 
  • Use your headlights if you are working outdoors, at night, or in areas where the lighting is limited. 
  • Utilize rear-view mirrors for better visibility. 
Move at the Appropriate Speed

Just like with a car, it is crucial to operate your forklift at the designated speed limit. You also want to make sure that you are not stopping, turning, or changing direction suddenly, or taking turns too fast, as this can cause the forklift to tip over. If the forklift does start to tip, remain in the machine, grab the wheel, and brace your feet. 

Keep Loads Secure and Stable

When placing a load, you want to make sure that it is balanced. When traveling, you should have the load tilted backward, keeping the forks as low as you can. This will increase the stability of the machine, specifically when navigating ramps. It is also important to use rope or bindings to keep heavy loads and stacks secure. 

Ways to Improve Your Forklift Safety

One of the best ways to improve your forklift safety is to buy or rent a forklift that is safely maintained and comes from a trusted supplier like Trupar America. Safe quality equipment, in addition to operator training and certification, can help create a safer work environment for your entire crew. When searching for “forklift dealers near me,” be sure to choose Trupar America with our extensive selection of new and used forklifts to choose from. 

Popular posts from this blog

How to Buy the Right Forklift

When shopping for a forklift, it is crucial to purchase the right one for your business. Without the right forklift, there can be a negative effect on productivity, operation costs, employee morale, and stock management. With a wide range of forklifts out there, each designed for a specific job, it is important to understand what you need when searching for “forklifts for sale near me.” Determining the Type of Forklift, You Need for Your Business There are several vital factors you need to consider when shopping for the right forklift, including: Load Size/Capacity Choosing a forklift that does not meet load capacity requirements would be a major mistake. When looking at forklifts, be sure to determine: •    Average load weight •    Type of stock the forklift will be handling •    Width of your loads •    Weight of the heaviest load you will need to lift It is also important to know the type of load the forklift will be handling to determine if yo...
6 comments
Read more

Forklift Safety Checklist

  At Trupar America, we recommend using a forklift checklist to your operator, and managers ensure that safety programs remain on track. If you are already using a checklist, take the time to compare yours to the list we are presenting.  If you have not yet implemented the use of a checklist, consider reviewing the list below and adapting it to your needs so it can be easily integrated as a mandatory part of your team’s daily routine.  Visual Equipment Inspection Checklist Check the forklift for any apparent problems or missing components. Check the floor and work area for any hazards or obstacles. Check for overhead obstructions that could catch on or interfere with the overhead guard. Confirm that the fire extinguisher is present in the work area and that it is charged and working.  Inspect the battery and cable for a charge and tight connections. Check fluid levels for oil, fuel, and radiator fluid.  Check all chain anchor pins. Make sure the wheels and tires...
Read more

How to Properly Store a Forklift

Whether you are closing down temporarily or operating at a decreased capacity, your forklift operation may have decreased or stopped completely. This means you need to ensure your forklifts are stored properly so they remain in good condition.  At Trupar America, we've put together some tips on how to store your forklifts for extended periods of time, such as during inclement weather, shutdowns, or to accommodate seasonal needs.  Start By Cleaning Your Forklift Before you store your forklift for an extended period, you need to thoroughly clean the unit. Make sure to remove any debris or mud from the unit. This will help prevent you from having to deal with hardened dirt and debris when it comes time to take the unit out of storage.  Also, this will also help prevent unnecessary downtime or repair and service costs to get the unit back into working order.  Additionally, you want to clean the forklift battery. This should be done at least twice a year or every six mont...
Read more