Forklifts can be dangerous if proper safety procedures are not followed. Unstable or off-centered loads can fall off and cause injuries. Most forklift fatalities are caused by the forklift tipping over. It is important to always wear a seatbelt, be trained and certified, report any damage or problems, use caution on grades and ramps, and secure any loads that could fall when operating a forklift.

1. FORKLIFTS
If you drive a forklift, you might take a lot of what you do for granted. Once you have been
trained and have loaded and unloaded a few hundred loads, you figure you have the routine
down. It is easy to get in a hurry, take a few short cuts, or forget some of the finer points of
safety, loading and unloading your forklift can very dangerous. Unstable or off-centered loads
can fall off causing injuries.
Forklifts are valuable tools. Like any tool they are only as safe as the person operating them. Like
the experienced forklift operator said, “Handle your forklift safely so you’re not the one being
dumped.” The majority o all forklift fatalities are the result of turnovers.
Safe Work Practices and Tips:
• Do not operate a forklift unless you have been trained and certified.
• Always wear seatbelt when operating a forklift.
• Report to your supervisor any damage or problems that occur to a forklift during your shift.
• Exit from a stand-up type forklift with rear-entry access by stepping backward in case of a
lateral tip-over.
• Use extreme caution on grades or ramps.
• On grades, tilt the load back and raise it only as far as needed to clear the road surface.
• Do not raise or lower the forks while the forklift is moving.
• Do not drive up to anyone standing in front of a bench or other fixed object.
• Travel backwards with the load if you cannot see in front of you.
• Sound horn when turning corners where you cannot see.
• Band or secure loads on forklifts if they could fall.