The power of forklifts makes them indispensable, but also dangerous. Often when employees grow accustomed to using forklifts they tend to stop thinking of them as a safety hazard, and forget or neglect to follow some important operating and maintenance procedures. When forklift injuries occur, they’re usually serious given the tremendous weight of those powerful machines.

Employees must be trained to work safely with forklifts, not just when they’re hired but periodically thereafter. Refresher training for the experienced operator is just as important as first-time training for new employees. It’s also a good idea for employees to receive basic first aid training in case of injuries.

Although forklifts are designed to perform rugged tasks, each time they are used they can get damaged in any number of ways. That’s why inspection is of critical importance. At the start of each shift, perform both a visual inspection of the general condition and cleanliness of the lift truck, as well as an operational check to test its proper functioning.**

Keep your hands, arms, head, feet, and legs inside the forklift truck. Travel with forks as low as possible from the floor and tilted back. Decrease speed at all corners, sound horn, and watch the swing of both the rear of the lift truck and the load. Avoid sudden stops. If the load blocks your vision, travel slowly in reverse. Always look in the direction of travel. Keep an eye out for oil spots, wet spots, loose objects, holes, rough surfaces, people, and vehicles on the floor or roadway.

To ensure the safety of others, know the blind spots of the lift truck with and without a load. When anyone crosses the route being travelled, stop the forklift truck. Lower the load to the floor, and wait until passage is clear.

Keep the forks pointed downhill without a load, and pointed uphill with a load. Do not attempt to turn the lift truck until it’s on level ground.

Support the load by the front wheels and turn with the rear wheels. Do not turn the steering wheel sharply when travelling fast. If the lift truck is overloaded, steering will be difficult. Do not exceed load limits, and do not add a counterweight as an attempt to improve steering.

It’s important to know the recommended load limit of the forklift (shown on the data plate) and the capacity of the fork, and to never exceed these limits.

Position the load according to the recommended load centre. Do not add extra weight to counterbalance an overload. Keep the load close to the front wheels to keep the lift truck stable.

When inserting the fork, keep the mast of the forklift in an upright position before inserting the fork into a pallet. Level the fork before inserting it.

Do not raise or lower the fork unless the lift truck is stopped and braked. Avoid lifting a load that extends above the load backrest if there’s any risk of the load, or part of it, sliding back toward the operator. Check for adequate overhead clearance before raising a load, and maintain a safe working distance from overhead power lines. Lift the load straight up, then tilt back slightly. Watch that the load doesn’t catch on adjacent loads or obstructions. Don’t back up until the forks are free.

When a load is raised, the lift truck is less stable. The operator must stay on the forklift when the load is in a raised position. Don’t allow anyone to stand or walk under the elevated part of the forklift, whether it’s loaded or unloaded.

Ensure that forks are level and high enough to go into the pallet, and that they go all the way under the load. Forks must be the proper width to provide even weight distribution.

Avoid trying to move or adjust any part of the load, the forklift, or the surroundings when on the forklift. Do not use pallets elevated by forklifts as an improvised working platform.

Park only in an approved location. When leaving the lift truck unattended, secure it by setting the brakes, lowering the forks or load to the floor, neutralizing the controls, and turning off the motor switch. Disconnect the battery or go through propane shut-down procedures.

Do not enter any elevator unless specifically authorized to do so. Before entering, ensure that the forklift plus load weight does not the exceed the elevator capacity. Approach the elevator slowly. Stop at a safe distance from the elevator gate, then enter squarely.

Neutralize the forklift controls. Shut off the motor and apply the brakes.

When working on or near a forklift, stay alert and prepare for the unexpected. Immediately report any collisions, damage, or near-misses to a supervisor.

For more information on forklift safety, contact the Inquiries Service at the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety at 800.668.4284 or help yourself to the information in OSH Answers.