Forklifts are an essential piece of equipment to improve material handling activities, but cause dangers when not adequately operated, maintained or inspected. The operation of loading and unloading equipment when not performed by a competent person can cause serious injury.
Question
Response Type
Confirm who is operating the forklift.
Text Answer
Is the operator qualified and trained to use the forklift?
Yes No N/A
Does the equipment require maintenance or service?
Yes No N/A
Does the operator have a spotter/flagger to assist in navigation?
Yes No N/A
Has the operator verified the weight of the material or equipment to be picked against the capacity of the forklift?
Yes No N/A
Is the pallet in good condition to ensure safe loading and unloading?
Yes No N/A
Is the pathway of the forklift clear of any obstacles on the ground and overhead?
Yes No N/A
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Find answers to some of the most common safety questions related to forklifts.
OSHA requires that only certified personnel are allowed to drive a forklift. Forklift drivers are required to be 18 years or older.
Anyone riding in a forklift is required to have certification. This means you cannot give rides to anyone who is not certified to also drive a forklift.
Forklift drivers have limited visibility. This means any pedestrians in the vicinity need to be trained on how to safely work around forklifts. This can include:
Giving space to forklift drivers
Maintaining eye contact with the forklift driver if it’s required that you walk around a forklift
Never standing near a forklift load
Looking both ways before stepping out of an aisle, around a corner, or into a pathway
Stay alert and aware of your surroundings—and as always, ensure all employees receive regular safety training. To learn more about forklift safety, check out our Forklift Safety Toolbox Talk.
Forklifts are heavy vehicles that can easily tip over if loaded or operated unwisely. A forklift driver also has limited visibility when using the forklift, making it easier to collide with people or objects and cause injuries.
In 2007, OSHA reported 85 deaths and 34,900 serious injuries caused by forklift accidents. Forklifts that tip over and crush the driver cause 42% of forklift-related deaths.
OSHA outlines seven primary types of forklifts:
Electric motor rider trucks
Electric motor narrow aisle trucks
Electric motor hand trucks or hand/rider trucks
Internal combustion engine trucks (solid/cushion tires)
Internal combustion engine trucks (pneumatic tires)
Electric and internal combustion engine tractors
Rough terrain forklift trucks
A forklift operator must be aware of the type of forklift and attachment to safely operate the truck.
A forklift nameplate, also known as a data plate, weight plate, or capacity load plate, provides information on:
Weight capacity
Fuel type
Truck weight
Attachments
Equipment parts
Understanding weight capacity is imperative to safely operating any forklift. Additional details (like tire size) are provided for vehicle servicing.
While nameplates are initially created by the manufacturer, it is the operator’s job to ensure information is up-to-date and legible. Nameplates are located on the instrument panel, near the operating controls.
Nameplates include information on mast types, attachments, weight, and maximum back and forward tilt. All of these factors change a forklift’s lifting capacity. Nameplates will provide examples of maximum capacity given different variables, but to calculate a custom capacity, it’s recommended that you use a capacity calculator.
Develop a visual safety standard that everyone on the jobsite knows and understands. This can include:
Safety signs in any areas pedestrians and forklifts may share
Yellow floor markings to indicate caution
Red floor markings to indicate fire hazards, emergency switches, and buttons on hazardous machines
Signs that direct traffic, including speed limits, arrows directing traffic, and stop signs
Properly marking work areas can greatly improve safety by eliminating confusion
Leverage construction safety management software that utilizes digital construction safety checklists to ensure proper protocols are being followed (and documented).
Conducting regular safety trainings helps streamline the presentation of safety topics to your crews. They also allow anyone to ask questions or address any concerns they have. To save time and effort in finding and completing safety talks, invest in a toolbox talks software that includes digital sign-in sheets. That way, you’ll collect clean, documented proof in the case of litigation, disputes, or claims. Raken has a digital library full of toolbox talk topics ready for you to use.
Keep track of employees' inspections of forklifts and other heavy equipment with a construction equipment management software. Have employees use our checklist above or customize your own to ensure owned and rental equipment is operated safely.
There’s an easier way to find and complete construction checklists—and we'd love to walk you through it in a personalized demo. (All demos come with a free trial, too.)
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