Ontivity Resources

Forklifts are quite amazing machines. They can lift thousands of pounds of material off of the floor, quickly move it across a giant warehouse, and place it several feet in the air on a rack. If workers still had to do these tasks manually without the assistance of powered industrial trucks, I sure would not want to help! While forklifts are incredible at what they do, we at Ontivity, recognize the dangers of operating and working alongside them. On average, there are 87 deaths per year due to forklift accidents and roughly one-third of these involve pedestrians. That means just because you are not behind the wheel does not mean operator safety does not apply to you. We all have to do our part by staying vigilant when forklifts are in use.

As we discuss Forklift Safety, we are going to focus on the following three key points:

• ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEATBELT WHEN OPERATING A FORKLIFT

• INSPECT THE FORKLIFT, AREA OF OPERATION AND LOAD

• UTLIZE A SPOTTER WHEN THE VIEW OF THE OPERATOR IS OBSTRUCTED

ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEATBELT WHEN OPERATING A FORKLIFT

A recent case study performed by OSHA reviewing numerous forklift accidents revealed that the fatalities were completely preventable. Several real-world incidents were fatalities attributed to operators not wearing seatbelts. In the event of a tip-over, the driver can be tossed from the seat and pinned under the roll cage. Properly securing and traveling with a load will help prevent a tip-over situation, however, operators should always wear a seat belt. When climbing into the operator seat, the first thing you should do is secure your seatbelt. After operating the equipment and properly shutting down the unit, the last step is the removal of your seatbelt. Good seatbelt habits will protect you every day.

INSPECT THE FORKLIFT, AREA OF OPERATION, AND LOAD

Ontivity requires forklift operators to inspect their trucks each day. A quick visual inspection of the vehicle before a functional check will help identify any deficiencies. If at any time a powered industrial truck is found to be in need of repair, the truck should be taken out of service immediately until the unsafe condition is corrected. Not only do operators need to inspect their equipment, but they also need to inspect their surroundings. Aisles and passageways shall be kept clear and in good repair. Lighting, ventilation, and overall serviceability should be accounted for. Lastly, inspect your load. Uneven or damaged loads can negatively impact the forklift’s stability.

UTILIZE A SPOTTER WHEN THE VIEW OF THE OPERATOR IS OBSTRUCTED

Due to the size of loads carried by lift trucks, blind spots are everywhere so using a spotter is best practice. Operators often cannot see what is below or above their load or how close they are to objects from the driver’s seat. A good spotter can ensure that loads do not strike aisles or other materials. If your vision is obstructed by a load, the operator might have to drive in reverse to see where they are headed. Be sure to sound the horn and communicate with your spotter before moving. Never position yourself in an area between the counterweight and a wall or aisle while spotting to avoid severe injury. Remember if you are spotting a forklift operator, to keep your eyes on the load and no other distractions. Lastly, ensure you make eye contact with the operator before approaching the forklift.

If you would like more information on this topic or any other safety-related topic, please reach out to the Ontivity safety team at safety@ontivity.com, and we will get you taken care of.