Forklift Safety

Jorge Castanon, Safety Consultant, FRSA Self Insurer’s Fund

Having a forklift at your workplace to help lift, move, stack and store raw materials or finished product helps get the job done efficiently. Powered industrial trucks or forklifts are the workhorses often used to get these jobs done and, as with any piece of equipment being used on the job, safe operating procedures are a must.

A forklift operated by an inexperienced or poorly trained employee can lead to accidents, injuries or even death. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that all forklift operators be certified in forklift safety. The OSHA forklift certification requirements are:

■ Operators must be at least 18 years old.

■ New operators must complete forklift training and become officially certified.

■ Certifications must be updated every three years.

■ Forklift operators must carry proof of their certification.

Having untrained operators can create hazards. Falling loads caused by overloading, unbalanced loads, improper loading, loads stacked too high obstructing the operator’s view, forklifts operating too fast and improper maintenance may cause unwanted harm to workers. Operators are not only responsible for themselves, the cargo and the forklift but also responsible for everyone around them. The following guidelines will help maintain a safe workplace for yourself and your coworkers:

■ Before operating any forklift, you must become familiar with the location and function of the controls and other general operating functions.

■ A pre-operation inspection must be done before using a forklift.

■ It is important to recognize that operating a forklift is very different than operating a car. While the forklift is probably smaller than your car, it can be up to two-to-three times heavier. Because of the weight of a forklift, it is not as easy as stopping a car, so give yourself plenty of time to react by driving slowly.

■ You should always read the operator’s manual before operating a forklift. Do not forget to read the warning labels, nameplate data, load capacity and other important safety reminders.

■ If the forklift has a seat belt, wear it in case of a tip over. The seat belt will keep you within the protective framework of the unit. If you try to jump off during your tip over, you could be thrown under the forklift or the load, which can lead to injury or even death.

■ Always raise the height of the forks about two to four inches above the ground while traveling and keep the load at the lowest safe height.

■ Always drive at slow speed.

■ Visibility is restricted while carrying a load and you will encounter blind spots. Always check to make sure no one is in your path before moving.

■ Pedestrians always have the right of way. Sound the horn at intersections and proceed slowly.

■ Keep three truck lengths between forklifts and never pass another forklift.

■ When lifting, make sure the load does not exceed the capacity of the forklift. The capacity is listed on the identification plate and in the operator’s manual.

■ If the load has to be raised, check for overhead obstructions such as lights, pipes or sprinkler systems.

■ Never allow anyone to walk under a raised load.

If you are using a forklift outdoors or at a construction site, you are bound to encounter rough, uneven terrain. Pneumatic tires are used on these forklifts because they are more forgiving, making the unit easier to handle. This helps increase safety and stability. Forklifts are our industries’ workhorses, moving, storing, stacking and loading everything from raw materials to finished product. As a forklift operator, you must always keep one goal in mind: the safety and efficient operation of your unit.

FRM

The FRSA Self Insurers Fund (FRSA-SIF) has professional safety consultants throughout the state who provide SIF members with safety training at no additional cost. To find out if you qualify for FRSA-SIF workers’ comp insurance, please contact Alexis at 800-767-3772, ext. 206 or email alexis@frsasif.com. To learn more about the FRSA Self Insurers Fund, visit www.frsasif.com.