10 Forklift Safety Rules

10 RULES FOR FORKLIFT SAFETY

Infographic Transcript

Forklift-related citations are consistently among OSHA’s top 10 violations each year:

• 2013: 6th
• 2015: 6th
• 2016: 5th
• 2018: 6th
• 2012: 7th
• 2014: 7th

Forklift-related fatalities (annual) trend:

• 2011: 66
• 2012: 95
• 2013: 91
• 2014: 89

% of forklift incidents:

• Struck by forklift: 22%
• Workers on foot struck by forklift: 20%
• Vehicle overturned incidents: 16%
• Falls from forklifts: 9%

More than 1,000,000 forklifts are in operation throughout the United States.

Roughly 20,000 workers are injured every year in forklift-related accidents.

OSHA estimates there are 110,000 forklift accidents every year.

Forklift accidents cost businesses $135,000,000 every year.

Between October 2013 and September 2014:

• 1,619 federal inspections
• 2,349 forklift-related citations
• $4,286,235 in penalties

Industry — Inspections / Citations / Penalties

• Manufacturing — 758 / 1,706 / $1,640,164
• Transportation & Warehousing — 188 / 292 / $943,417
• Wholesale — 212 / 332 / $568,927
• Construction — 176 / 219 / $326,606
• Retail — 118 / 169 / $350,548

Roughly 70% of all accidents could have been avoided with proper training.

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Forklift classes shown:

• Electric Motor Rider Trucks
• Electric Motor Hand Trucks or Hand/Rider Trucks
• Electric Motor Narrow Aisle Trucks
• Internal Combustion Engine Trucks (Cushion Tires)
• Internal Combustion Engine Trucks (Pneumatic Tires)
• Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Tractors
• Rough Terrain Forklift Trucks

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[Most of the small requirement text in this section is not fully legible at the provided resolution.]

Perform a DAILY INSPECTION of all forklifts to look for:

• TEST brakes, lights, horn, steering, and load … [last word(s) not fully legible]
• EXAMINE tires and … [remainder not fully legible]
• Check for water, oil, or radiator LEAKS
• Ensure forks are STRAIGHT and not CRACKED
• LOOK for obstructions, worn surfaces, overhead obstacles, and other potential hazards

• Drive with the load as low as safely possible.
• Keep all parts of the body (e.g., feet, hands) inside the main body of the vehicle to avoid hazards.
• Use the horn at intersections and in areas where pedestrian traffic is high.
• Pay close attention to posted speed limits and warning signs.
• Ensure both forks engage as far in the load as possible before lifting.
• Never allow riders on a forklift.

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Bullets shown:

• Implement a floor marking system in your facility.
• Follow safety signs in the warehouse where pedestrians and machinery intersect.
• Post floor marking signs, labels, and floor marking tape around areas where heavy equipment is operating.
• Use proper lockout/tagout procedures to prevent forklifts from incidentally starting up.
• Use designated areas and pathways when walking.

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• Follow safe practices on all aisles and around forklift traffic (including walking, biking, and driving).

Have an effective system for successful visual communication, which can alert operators to pedestrians and to hazards caused by forklifts.

WAYFINDING
Implement wayfinding to improve the flow of traffic, keep pedestrians away from forklift traffic, and direct traffic to the right areas.

• Post signs at junctions to warn pedestrians and forklift operators to stop and allow for traffic.
• Use “STOP” signs, speed limit signs, and other traffic-control devices.
• Display reminders of forklift safety requirements where forklifts will operate.
• Place aisle identifiers, labels for inventory, and exit or emergency placement markers as needed.

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