What are the most important safety considerations when operating a forklift?

Inspect your LP tank make sure it’s secured and not leaking if it is discontinued use, inspect the mass, make sure all safety features are in working order.

Risk assessment is important,check all the points for your safety. Do also a JSA(Job Safety Analysis) The way to identify the hazard and to do safe way for the job operation

Make sure that proper pathway is defined for Forklift in Warehouse and educate workers not to go in forklift pathways. Forklift driver must be well trained and have the license to drive it.

Ensure that forklift operators are properly trained and certified to operate the specific type of forklift they will be using

Pre-use inspection is a legal requirement in the UK. The HSE also deems there are 14 parts of the forklifts that are critical to H&S - therefore inspection of such components is mandatory. To carry out pre-use inspections is part of the basic training, however, if there is no regular and consistent supervision of forklift operators, they tend to become complacent and the pre-use inspections can become a tick-box-exercise. Regular and sporadic auditing of the operators is as important as carrying out the inspections themselves in order to reduce the likelihood of incidents.

Inspecting the machine before operating it is essential. Always use three points of contact to get on or off the forklift. Don't jump out of the forklift if it flips over. Most importantly, never trust anyone operating a forklift.

Most companies and organisations will have their dress-code and policies in place. As a minimum, safety footwear and high visibility clothing are a requirement. If the forklift is fitted with a seatbelt, its use is mandatory - with one exception: when the work is carried out by water (subject to more training, permits and risk assessments). When refuelling or recharging of the forklift is required, additional PPE may be necessary, such as chemical resistant gloves, aprons, eye & face protection, etc. The easiest way to comply is to always follow the training and refer to company policies.

The only thing I disagree with here is the baggy clothes as good practice in any manufacturing business this is a standard and I am not sure how clothes can get stuck in a forklift. Also wearing safety glass while driving a forklift is key for keeping debris from getting in your eyes.

The most common problem with forklift safety is not even mentioned in this article: it is over worked operators. Long hours over the week wear down everyone and corners get cut just to get things done. For everything that gets damaged or employee injuries it always baffles me how companies waste money on this rather than hiring an adequate workforce.

1. Operators must be qualified 2. Appropriate clothing must be worn. 3. Examine Equipment before use 4. Starting up the forklift 5. Consider the surrounding environment 6. Operate at a safe speed 7. Avoid Hazards 8. Ensure your load is stable and secure 9. Make sure you have clear visibility 10. Forklifts are for Carrying Loads only 11. Keep Clear of the Mast 12. Driving on Ramps 13. Ensure the forklift is not Over-loaded 14. Ensure the Load is evenly distributed 15. Refueling 16. When the Shift Ends After use ensure the forklift is parked in a designated or authorised area. Fully lower the forks to the floor and apply the park brake. Turn the forklift “off” and remove the key. Do not leave a forklift running whilst unattended.

Look around before moving. You do not compete in a rally when you are driving at work (all operators drive like crazy ). The machine have a load limit. If the machine is broken don't use it. Fork lift is not for lifting or transporting people.

Pay attention to weight and height know your limits on how to distribute and even out the weight. Many loads have been over weight cause of load inconsistencies. Keep forks at a low level to prevent damage to freight. Watch your speed when entering and exiting a trailer.

Never climb on the fork or somewhere on the top of the truck. Also not under. And if it is an electric truck, follow the charging safety instructions.

Always inspect the controls and settings before operating. There are multiple types of fork trucks and brands. Controls and settings may be located differently. It is better to be familiar with a machine before you need to rather than when you need to. The later might be too late to prevent damage or injury.

Keep the load as low as possible while transporting from Point A to Point B. For one, it keeps the center of gravity of the machine lower to the ground for stability purposes. Two, it could help to prevent striking something with a low clearance. And thirdly, it makes it easier to see over the top of the load for obstacles that could be in your path.

In my experience, it’s very important to drive safely and slowly and to always make sure you’re consistently sounding your horn to alert others. This is especially important on the inside of a warehouse. There can be a lot of blind spots around aisles where you might not be able to see or hear people; or even they not notice you until it’s to late.

If required to drive on slopes(inclines and declines) know which direction(forward/backward) you need to move to avoid dropping the load.

Keep the load low when turning, so you don’t roll over. If you do roll over, be sure to have your seatbelt on, and keep holding the steering wheel. Don’t try to jump off, and don’t hold onto the uprights of your safety cage. It could crush your fingers.

Pay attention to your surroundings ,your speed,look out for pedestrian and obstacles. Seat belts are to be worn while operating forklift.

Proper driver training is important, make sure all operators are trained properly can save you time and money, time to do the job properly, money with less down time on the machine, most small companies don’t have in house trainers so ask the forklift supplier if they offer driver training

Complacency and Distractions The rules at any facility are designed to protect everyone. After years of working in an environment it is easy to get too comfortable with the machinery and activities all around you. Don’t let an accident be your wake up call. We all have things in our lives, good and bad, that can dominate our thoughts. It is important to have a routine that reminds one of the correct behaviors and procedures that are necessary when entering the work area.

Practice, Practice, Practice Get familiar with your forklift. Open spaces to operate the controls, steering, and become familiar with your machine is important. Practice drills moving pallets from different locations helps you understand how to operate before. This helps eliminate risk and reduce inexperienced incidents from occurring.

Employer has to make rules and instructions to the employees. That contains safety rules, working methods etc. Employer must also train those to the employees. But the most important thing is Right ATTITUDE! If you have right attitude you can follow the rules and drive well. Safety first!

Pedestrians do not necessarily have the right-of-way. While an operator should be aware of pedestrians, everyone should be clear on company policy vis-a-vis right-of-way. Always make eye contact with pedestrians to make sure they know you are there, but remember that your unladen lift has a certain center of gravity that is immediately shifted forward and up when you grab a load. The higher the load, the farther up it shifts, making changes in speed or direction more dangerous, so that by attempting to avoid an accident with a pedestrian, you can quickly cause another by loosing control of the load and toppling the lift.

Never drive with your mass up in a warehouse, you may cause a serious problem. Always make sure you travel in the line of sight .use horn and lights at all times.stop at signs posted and follow your warehouse instructions.