Rules of the Road

Best Practices for Forklift Safety

Happy National Forklift Safety Day!  Forklift safety should always be at the top of your list. Being OSHA compliant and staying accident and injury free saves you serious cabbage!  Below are some of our best practices for forklift safety:

  • Always use the lift truck’s operator seat belt or restraint system.
  • Stay inside the operator compartment and never reach into moving parts of the truck.
  • Obey all company safety rules and posted traffic signs – including speed limits.
  • Keep a clear view of the path of travel – be on the lookout for pedestrians.
  • Start, stop and change directions smoothly.
  • Sound the horn and slow down when approaching intersections, blind corners, door and ramp openings, pedestrians and other vehicles and when backing up.
  • When traveling, keep the forks in a low position that provides adequate clearance over the surfaces you will travel.
  • Maintain a safe distance from the edge of docks.
  • Never jump on or off a stationary or moving lift truck.
  • Operators should always wear the required protective clothing and equipment for the application (steel-toed shoes, safety vests, hard hats, etc.)
  • Ensure all operators are properly trained and certified to operate a lift truck.