Accidents happen and even the most experienced forklift operators may forget to perform a routine inspection or fail to prioritize forklift safety during an operation. Nobody is perfect. It is the role of the facility and management to enforce OSHA forklift safety and make sure a simple human error doesn’t have dangerous consequences.
Follow these tips to avoid accidents, injuries, and OSHA forklift violations.
Common Forklift Hazards
Forklift accidents seriously injure almost 35,000 people every year and cause non-serious injuries for an additional 62,000 people. Implementing forklift safety can help reduce this number. Below are the 4 most common forklift hazards and how to avoid them.
Not completing a thorough inspection of the vehicle before operating it.
OSHA requires a pre-operational inspection of the equipment before every shift. This is especially important if you own a used forklift. Click here to download a free inspection checklist for your workplace. From verifying the technical integrity of the vehicle to preparing the work environment, these steps are very important to ensure forklift safety during operation.
One of the most dangerous things you can do is operate unsafe equipment. Follow OSHA forklift safety guidelines to avoid dangerous accidents. Keep in mind that OSHA forklift violations can also cost you a lot of money. Fees and citations are not cheap.
Not making sure that the forklift is ready to go.
It sounds pretty fundamental but some operators would jump on the forklift without checking the gas level or the battery charge. It is one of the easiest things to do but it is often forgotten. Also, clear the dashboard of all pieces of paper, signs, and any other documents that could limit the visibility of important gauges.
Part of your OSHA forklift safety pre-operational check includes ensuring that necessary safety labels are posted and that the manual is available in the truck for easy access.
Driving too fast.
Many accidents are caused by an operator driving a forklift at an excessive speed. One of the most common forklift hazards is tipping. Turning too quickly often causes tipping. There is something crucial that operators, managers and workers in general need to keep in mind: forklift safety is the most important thing in a facility. Of course, productivity can always be improved, but not by driving faster.
Driving with an elevated load is also unsafe and can cause tipping.
Failure to use forklift safety signs.
Every worker and forklift operator needs to be on the same page. Between lights, sounds, ground markings, and hand signals, forklift safety signs are everywhere. For example, a major forklift hazard is pedestrian injuries while backing up. Lights, beeping, signage, and designated forklift-only areas can prevent these injuries.
Utilize forklift safety signs in your workplace. Make sure both pedestrians and operators can read them and understand what they mean. Implementing simple signage and forklift safety features can prevent dangerous accidents from ever occurring. Inspection, verification, precaution and communication are the keys to avoiding these forklift hazards. Keep them in mind at all times!
Remember that part of the required OSHA forklift safety protocol is training. An OSHA study recently found that almost 25% of all forklift accidents are caused by inadequate training. Properly train every forklift operator. Failure to do so is an OSHA forklift violation that can cost you a lot of money.
The Importance of Maintenance
Forklift safety starts with safe equipment. Regardless of the forklift safety signs posted or protocol followed, it won’t be possible for an operator to ensure safety if the equipment itself is a hazard. Routine maintenance is necessary to ensure that a forklift is safe to use.
That’s why a pre-operational inspection is part of OSHA forklift safety. If you find issues, take the equipment out of service immediately.
If your equipment is in the shop more than it’s in use, it may be time for a new forklift. Unsafe equipment is the biggest forklift hazard out there. Even if you do everything in your power to operate safely, damaged equipment is dangerous.
If you’re ready for new equipment, invest in quality. Prioritize safety and reliability. If you plan to purchase a pre-owned machine, buy something you can trust.
Need help? Turn to Industrial Forklift Truck. Industrial Forklift Truck is a free price comparison site that you can use to compare forklifts before you buy. They partner with pre-screened dealers nationwide to collect a huge inventory of high-quality equipment. Select an equipment type from their form and choose some specifications. Then, you’ll get free quotes on all qualified equipment in your area that matches your selections.
Avoid OSHA forklift violations and protect the safety of operators and pedestrians at your workplace. Implement these safety tips and invest in new equipment if necessary.
