Along with the obvious fun and healthy competition, events like the forklift rodeos are a key demonstration of just how difficult it is to properly operate material handling equipment under challenging circumstances. Forklift safety must stay at the forefront of operators’ minds. This equipment is incredibly dangerous. It’s unfortunate how often we have to read about forklift accidents in the news, including a recent incident involving a running back for the University of Michigan, Drake Johnson, being run over while stretching on the floor of his training facility. Without safe forklift operation, accidents run rampant. Implementing strict forklift safety rules will prevent these accidents from happening.
The safety risk for everyday warehouse workers is very real. It’s not just the equipment operator’s responsibility to ensure forklift safety. Everyone on the warehouse floor plays a critical role. If you’re a warehouse or operations manager, here are some standard forklift safety tips you can implement to help reduce risk.
1. Formal Instruction
Whether the facility is huge or a mom-and-pop operation, OSHA forklift safety rules require that all forklift operators receive formal instruction and training on OSHA forklift safety rules in the form of videos, lectures, written materials, and more. Operators must be trained on:
- Vehicle capacity and stability
- Operating instructions
- Vehicle inspection and maintenance requirements
- Load manipulation, stacking, and unstacking
- Pedestrian traffic in areas where the vehicle will be operated
- Operating in narrow aisles and restricted places
- The requirements of OSHA forklift safety rules
2. Practical Training
Instead of just hitting the books, your drivers need to learn safe forklift operation through demonstrations and practical exercises. They need to know how to implement forklift warehouse safety at their specific workplace. This includes understanding their equipment, the conditions of their workplace, how to navigate the facility, and how to ensure their load is secure. The OSHA certification process includes hands-on training where operators have to navigate through obstacle courses and demonstrate the proper use of controls for safe forklift operation. This hands-on training consists of a minimum of eight hours for high lifts and four hours for low lifts.
3. Evaluation in the Workplace
OSHA forklift safety rules state that “each powered industrial truck operator’s performance is required to be conducted after initial training, after refresher training, and at least once every three years.” It goes on to say that there’s not a specific frequency of refresher training but it must be provided when:
- The operator has been observed to operate the vehicle in an unsafe manner.
- The operator has been involved in an accident or near-miss incident.
- The operator has received an evaluation that reveals that the operator is not performing a safe forklift operation.
- The operator is assigned to drive a different type of truck.
- A condition in the workplace changes in a manner that could affect forklift safety.
4. Involve the Entire Workforce.
Forklift warehouse safety involves everyone in the workplace. Although non-operators do not have to go through the meticulous OSHA training process, it’s important for them to be aware of the dangers of these machines and to always be aware of their surroundings, especially when the forklifts are in use. It certainly doesn’t hurt to go above and beyond the standard requirements for safe forklift operation. Teach them to observe all signs and listen for any horns to protect overall forklift warehouse safety.
5. Use Forklift Safety Products.
Make sure your facility is properly outfitted with forklift safety products like checklist sheets, safety posters, lights, and mirrors. Set a date in your calendar to check this inventory every other week. You don’t want to realize you’re missing something after an incident has occurred.
These forklift safety tips are critical to the success of your operation. Not only do they protect your workers, but they increase productivity and efficiency in your workplace.
Keep up with the latest industry news to stay on top of forklift warehouse safety. OSHA forklift safety rules aren’t something you address once and then forget about. Safety is ongoing and should be the focus of your workplace every single day.
National Forklift Safety Day is an annual celebration in June that emphasizes the importance of safety. If you missed the 2021 Forklift Safety Day seminar, check out this recap.
Keep in mind that forklift safety and forklift maintenance go hand in hand. If your equipment isn’t in top condition, you run the risk of an accident or injury if it fails during operation. Forklift warehouse safety depends on the reliability of your equipment.
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