Forklift Safety Practices

Following appropriate protocols for forklifts can protect you from a variety of physical hazards and safety issues. 

These protocols can apply when operating or working near a forklift. Knowing these will help to ensure that the forklift is always used safely and that any risks are significantly minimized. In this article, we have outlined the main hazards and issues of which you need to be aware of:

1. Operating Environment. Prior to operating a forklift, observe the terrain and pathways surrounding your operating environment. A messy or uneven operating environment can lead to destabilization and other hazards.

2. Choosing the Right Tires. While this is commonly overlooked, it is crucial to use the correct tires that work best for its primary job. There are three types of forklift tires to consider while on a job:

• Pneumatic: Typically used for heavy lifting operations as they are extremely durable.

• Rubber: Best for indoor, relatively even terrains.

• Polyurethane: Primarily used for electric forklifts and handling specialized materials.

3. Turning Radius. Before operating on a jobsite, make sure you test your forklift’s turning radius and adjust your operations to reflect your forklift’s specific turning radius. Please note, a damaged or tweaked steering column can diminish the turning radius of a forklift.

4. Tipping Over. According to OSHA, the greatest safety risk to forklift operators is a tip over. Most tip overs involve an unloaded forklift as they are more unstable than a loaded one. Forklifts can tip over for various reasons, including, but not limited to:

• Accelerating too quickly in reverse.

• Braking too quickly.

• Braking or accelerating while going around a corner.

• Braking or accelerating while going down a slope.

• Carrying an unevenly balanced load.

Reducing the speed of the forklift, implementing traffic control measures, and the proper use of seatbelts can reduce the risk of tip overs and any injuries resulting from a tip over.

No matter how experienced the employee is or how routine the job may be the risk of injury remains the same. Therefore, all employees should be mindful of safe forklift practices and procedures to protect themselves and others on the job.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

Cotney Construction Law is an advocate for the roofing industry and General Counsel of NRCA. Its attorneys practice in all areas of construction law. The firm works extensively on matters relating to OSHA defense, which includes the management and development of safety and health strategies for construction contractors across the United States. The firm’s OSHA practice concentrates on litigation and the appeals of citations involving catastrophic construction-related accidents. For more information, please visit www.cotneycl.com.