Forklift Safety Awareness

Factors Contributing to Tow motor and Forklift Accidents

Animated forklift raising forks with empty skid

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Forklift Safety Basics

 

Stability Triangle

 

Lifting and Moving

 

Pedestrian Safety

 

Traveling On Inclines

 

Loading Trucks

 

Forklift Accidents

 

Circle Check

 

Handling Propane

   

Operate industrial lift equipment as if it could kill, it often does!

Behavioural / Operational Factors

  Excessive speed

  Lack of worker training. 

  Improper vehicle restraints on trucks and trailers.

  Inadequate servicing of the forklift 

  Improper backing, turning, braking.

  Improperly parking the forklift. 

  Walking and working in the general area of forklift operations. 

  Poor communication during shared tasks, or in shared spaces.

  Improper warnings to others of forklift presence.

  Allowing passengers on the forklift or load.

  Non-acceptable behaviours, horseplay, showing off

Never take safety for granted, accidents can happen anywhere, anytime.

Characteristics of the Workplace

  Narrow, crowded, or cluttered aisles.

  Intersections and doorways.

  Concentrations of traffic.

  Type of materials being stored or moved. 

  Visibility restrictions and obstructions

  Lighting conditions, shadows and glare

  Condition of loading dock.

  Ramps, inclines or different surface conditions.

  Potholes or obstacles on the ground

  Other factors - noise, odours, toxic gases, dust.

Know your work area, learn the hazards

Operational Systems

  Production factors - speed, stress, lack of proper attachments or accessories 

  Policies and procedures

  Age of forklifts.

  Maintenance program.

 

Characteristics of the Load

  Poor palletizing.

  Damaged Skids.

  Load too heavy.

  Load unstable.

  Load blocking vision.

 

Never try to move an unstable load, fix it first!