Forklift Safety
Forklift Safety
Developed by the Division of Occupational Safety & Health (DOSH) for employee training
May, 2010
OSHA
Source: WorksafeBC
25%
Approximately 35,000 serious injuries and 62,000 non-serious injuries involving forklifts occur in the United States every year. OSHA estimates 11% of all forklifts are involved in accidents every year.
11%
10% 8% 4%
The 5 most common citations by L & I safety inspectors involving forklifts in last three years (2007 2009) were as follows:
- lack of training - no seatbelt or not using seatbelt - no inspection of the forklift for defects - modification of forklift without manufacturers approval - no nameplate or unreadable nameplate
The "mast is the telescoping track on which the forks and load are raised and lowered.
Solid tires for smooth surfaces. Pneumatic tires are used for rougher surfaces.
Forks on a forklift. Some trucks have a solid platform and are called "platform trucks" .
The operator stands on a platform which moves up and down. Sometimes called an order picker
Straddle legs add stability for forklifts that don't use a counter-weight
The operator can walk behind or stand on the platform and hold onto the grab bar.
Class 4 Truck
Characteristics: 1. Propane internal combustion engine 2. Solid tires 3. One of the most common types
Propane/liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuel cylinder. Other forklifts run on diesel or gasoline.
Class 5 Truck
Characteristics:
1. Gasoline, diesel or propane engines 2. Pneumatic tires 3. Used outdoors in many cases.
Pneumatic (air filled) tires with tread are used for traction and stability on rough or wet surfaces.
1. Electric or internal combustion engine 2. Solid or pneumatic tires 3. Specialty vehicles 4. Pull or carry loads (no forks)
Wikimedia Commons
Yard Tractor
Industrial Tractor
Straddle carrier
Wikimedia Commons
Farm vehicles
Earth-moving vehicle
All photos Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia commons
This..
Wikimedia commons
Forklift Nameplate
The nameplate will list the type of forklift and the capacity
This forklift is a propane (LP) powered forklift, weighing 8680 lbs. with a lifting capacity of up to 4500 lbs.
OSHA
OSHA
Almost all counterbalanced powered industrial trucks supported at three points. This is true even if the vehicle has four wheels. The truck's steer axle is attached to the truck by a pivot pin in the axle's center. When this point is connected to the front wheels with imaginary lines, this three-point support forms a triangle called the stability triangle. So long as the center of gravity remains within this stability triangle, the truck is stable and will not tip over.
OSHA
A forklift balances a load with a counterweight at the back. The front wheels act as a fulcrum or balance point. The center of gravity moves upward when the forks are raised.
OSHA
While carrying a load near the maximum allowable capacity, be aware of the following: Danger of tipover Danger of losing load Danger of being struck by falling load
OSHA
Use extra caution when handling loads that approach the truck's maximum rated capacity: Tilt the mast & forks back and position the heaviest part of the load against the carriage. Travel with the mast tilted back to keep the load stable. Never travel with the load tilted forward. Tilting the load forward increases the load distance and makes the load less stable
Driving on an incline
Always drive with the load on the uphill side - go backwards driving down the incline and frontwards going up the incline to prevent tipping or losing control of the forklift.
If no load on the forklifts, do the opposite with forks pointing down the ramp
OSHA
Driving an indoor forklift outdoors on rough, uneven ground Turning on an incline or hill
Source: JICOSH
OSHA
If the forklift tips, keep your arms and legs inside and hold on to the steering wheel. Dont attempt to jump out you cant move faster than the forklift can tip over. Most people who attempt to jump are killed by the impact of the overhead guard.
Tipover procedures for other types of forklifts may vary. For example operators of stand-up forklifts with rear-entry access should step backwards off the forklift if a tipover occurs.
Seatbelts
Seatbelts are required on all forklifts manufactured since 1992 and can be retrofitted on all older models. You are required to uses it when it is supplied with the forklift. It will save your life.
worksafeVictoria
OSHA
L&I
A common cause of forklift fatalities is from the operator not having or using a seatbelt.
U.S. Army
A vehicle that is damaged, defective or otherwise unsafe must be removed from service. Report the problem to your supervisor immediately.
MSHA
If you have to add water, to batteries or handle battery acid, be sure to wear personal protective equipment.
OSHA
Forklift Attachments
Forklifts can have a variety of attachments which affect their performance and use.
The load capacity of the forklift is reduced by the weight of the attachment.
The attachment must be approved by the forklift manufacturer.
Be sure you know how to use the specific attachment on the forklift you will be operating or get training if you dont.
OSHA
U.S. Army
Dangerous!!
Safe
Source: JICOSH
CDC
OSHA
Source: JICOSH
In warehouses or other indoor workplaces, aisles of material, walls, doors and other building configurations can create blind corners.
OSHA all photos
Blind spot
When provided, use flashing warning light or backup alarms when traveling in reverse.
Always look in the direction of travel.
Source - JICOSH
Make sure:
truck trailer wheels are chocked, dock board is secure and can handle weight, you use horn or warning lights when exiting trailer or railcar.
OSHA
OSHA
OSHA
Distribute the weight evenly when carrying irregular sized loads. Keep the center of gravity of the load as near as possible to the center going horizontally across the forks. Keep the center of gravity of the load as near to the front wheels as possible.
Source: JICOSH
Watch overhead clearances especially entering or exiting buildings or when you are raising a load on the forks.
Yale forklift company safety poster
The new operator accidentally performed the wrong maneuver, causing the forklift to run into one of the pillars at the site. The worker who had been training him was crushed between the support pillar and the forklift.
Source: JICOSH
When the worker stepped between the operator's seat and the mast (without turning off the engine first) he accidentally hit one of the control levers, causing the mast to move. He was crushed between it and the overhead guard.
Source: JICOSH
No Speeding!!
Wikimedia commons
Source:Worksafe BC
Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur when propane forklifts are used in cold rooms, controlled atmosphere rooms, truck trailers or shipping containers, or in warehouses or other enclosed areas that do not have enough fresh air ventilation. If propane powered forklifts are used indoors, they should be tuned up regularly and tested for carbon monoxide emissions periodically.
Link to more information on carbon monoxide and forklifts
You must also have hands-on training on the specific truck you will operating
... truck controls and handling are different
2. When driving down an incline with a loaded forklift, you should: a) Go down the incline backwards. b) Raise the load before going down the incline. c) Go down the incline frontwards. d) Honk the horn.
3. If you are driving a forklift and it hits a hole and starts to turnover, you should:
4. If you see a large puddle of hydraulic fluid under the forklift, the first thing you should do is:
5. Before you first enter a truck trailer with a forklift you should:
with
a) Check to make sure the trailer has been secured wheel chocks
b) See if there is a spotter inside the trailer. c) Get your supervisor's approval to enter. d) Jump up and down on the dockboard.
6. Special attachments to a forklift can be used when: a) The production manager approves it. b) The forklift manufacturer approves it. c) You have checked that it doesn't change the forklift operation. d) None of these.
7. The best way to handle a large load that reduces visibility is to:
a) Honk the horn continuously so other workers know you are moving.
b) Drive in reverse or use a spotter. c) Raise the load so you can see under it. d) Walk the route first so you know where to go.
d) It is a brand-new model.