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10 Rules For Forklift Safety
10 Rules For Forklift Safety
For all their benefits, forklifts and powered industrial trucks bring with them numerous hazards that endanger both pedestrians and
drivers. While they move heavy loads and increase efficiency, forklifts can also cause serious injuries when they are used unsafely.
Here are 10 rules for how forklifts are used in the workplace, common hazards, and what OSHA has to say about forklift training.
• More than 1,000,000 forklifts are in operation throughout the United States
• Forklift accidents cost businesses $135,000,000 every year
• Roughly 70% of all accidents could have been avoided with proper training
• OSHA estimates there are 110,000 forklift accidents every year
• Roughly 20,000 workers are injured every year in forklift-related accidents
• Forklift-related citations are routinely among OSHA’s top 10 violations each year:
o 2,860 violations in 2016 (sixth most-cited citation)
o 2,760 violations in 2015 (sixth most-cited citation)
o 3,147 violations in 2014 (fifth most-cited citation)
o 3,340 violations in 2013 (sixth most-cited citation)
o 1,993 violations in 2012 (seventh most-cited citation)
o 3,432 violations in 2011 (seventh most-cited citation)
• Overturned forklifts are the leading cause of deaths involving forklifts; they account for 22% of all forklift-related fatalities
• Workers on foot struck by forklifts account for 20% of all forklift-related fatalities
• Victims crushed by forklifts account for 16% of all fatalities and falls from forklifts account for 9% of all forklift fatalities
• Between October 2015 and September 2016:
o 1,619 federal inspections led to 2,349 forklift-related citations, totaling $4,266,235 in penalties
o Of that total …
▪ 756 federal inspections led to 1,076 forklift-related citations in the manufacturing industry, totaling $1,640,164 in
penalties
▪ 212 federal inspections led to 332 forklift-related citations in the wholesale trade industry, totaling $566,827 in
penalties
▪ 175 federal inspections led to 219 forklift-related citations in the construction industry, totaling $326,605 in
penalties
▪ 188 federal inspections led to 292 forklift-related citations in the transportation and warehousing industry, totaling
$943,617 in penalties
▪ 118 federal inspections led to 169 forklift-related citations in the retail trade industry, totaling $350,548 in penalties
• Electric Motor Rider Trucks (such as rider-type counterbalanced forklifts and sit-down, three-wheel electric trucks)
• Electric Motor Narrow Aisle Trucks (such as high lift straddle trucks and platform side loaders)
• Electric Motor Hand Trucks or Hand/Rider Trucks (such as low lift pallet trucks and high lift straddle trucks)
• Internal Combustion Engine Trucks with Solid/Cushion Tires (such as counterbalanced fork trucks with cushion tires)
• Internal Combustion Engine Trucks with Pneumatic Tires (such as counterbalanced fork trucks with pneumatic tires)
• Electrical and Internal Combustion Engine Tractors (such as sit-down riders)
• Rough Terrain Forklift Trucks (such as vertical mast type forklifts, variable reach type forklifts, and truck trailer mounted)
• Employers must have a training program that incorporates general principles of safe operation, the types of vehicle(s) used, any
hazards created by using forklifts and powered industrial trucks, and OSHA’s general safety requirements.
• Trained forklift operators must know how to do the job safely, as demonstrated in a workplace evaluation.
• Employers must provide formal and practical training. This may include using some combination of lecture, video, software
training, written material, demonstrations, and practical exercise.
• Employers must certify that operators have received all necessary training and evaluate each operator at least once every three
years.
• Employers must evaluate the operator’s performance and deem the employee competent to operate a powered industrial truck
prior to operating the truck.
• Make sure the load is balanced and fully secure to prevent a forklift from tipping over
• Ensure both forks are as far under the load as possible before lifting
• Drive with the load as low as safely possible
• Pay attention to posted speed limits and warning signs
• Always look in the direction you’re traveling; if a load blocks the view ahead, travel in reverse
• Steer clear of areas where forklifts are prohibited or restricted
• Keep an eye out for signs, floor marking, and other warnings for pedestrians and forklifts
• Use the horn at intersections and in areas where pedestrians may be present
• Post forklift safety signs, aisle markers, and forklift procedure labels—using premade signs, custom labels, or a combination of
the two
• Implement a floor marking system in your facility
• Ensure safety signs are at all intersections where pedestrians and vehicles intersect
• Use steering wheel covers and padlocks when necessary
• Use proper lockout/tagout equipment to prevent forklifts from inadvertently starting up
Request your free Warehouse Safety Hazards & Solutions Guide from Graphic Products for more on identifying and mitigating hazards
in your facility.
That said, 29 CFR 1910.144—the agency’s standard for outlining safety color codes—mentions that red and yellow are designated
safety color codes for marking physical hazards.
• Red is for fire-related hazards (including the identification of fire protection equipment and containers of flammable liquids), as
well as emergency switches, bars, and buttons on hazardous machines.
• Yellow designates caution and is used to mark physical hazards (including stumbling, falling, and “caught in between”).
Improve visual communication with Graphic Products' floor marking resource center. Access our floor marking color codes infographic,
Best Practice Guide to Floor Marking, in-depth articles, helpful videos, on-demand webinar, and more: Improve Your Floor Marking
System
• Use “Stop” signs, speed limit signs, and other traffic control devices
• Implement wayfinding to improve the flow of traffic, keep pedestrians away from forklift paths, and direct forklifts along safe
routes
• Point out loading docks, shelves for inventory, and other important places within a warehouse
• Post signs at junctions to warn pedestrians and forklift operators to stop and look for hazards
• Display checklists and inspection requirements where forklifts are stored