Staying Safe Around Forklifts
Year after year, we’re constantly reminded of all the people that are injured or die in car accidents. But for those who operate heavy machinery, serious risks are taken every day just to do their jobs. Did you know that nearly 35,000 people are seriously injured in forklift accidents every year? Many people would probably not guess that forklifts are so dangerous, which is part of the problem. Carelessness, though seemingly innocent at the time, can lead to serious consequences. Use the following tips to stay as safe as possible next time you’re operating a forklift.
Buckle Up
The number one mistake workers make when driving a forklift is the same mistake people make when driving a car—not wearing a seat belt. The safest place you could be around a forklift is strapped into the driver’s seat, so why wouldn’t you buckle up? It’s also required by OSHA that you wear one while operating a powered industrial truck, anyway. That seat belt could save your life if something goes wrong.
For Trained Operators Only …show more content…
But many people have this mentality that the two are essentially the same thing. Well, they’re not. Workers must go through specific training before they can operate forklifts and other powered industrial trucks. Training focuses on the actual operation of the vehicle, load capacities and how to balance loads, and all limitations of the vehicle. Training must also be site-specific, meaning it must occur under the conditions that will be experienced in the workplace. If you know you’re not trained to operate a specific vehicle in a specific setting, don’t operate it! Training and further evaluations are not something to take lightly, as they can prevent you from hurting yourself and
Year after year, we’re constantly reminded of all the people that are injured or die in car accidents. But for those who operate heavy machinery, serious risks are taken every day just to do their jobs. Did you know that nearly 35,000 people are seriously injured in forklift accidents every year? Many people would probably not guess that forklifts are so dangerous, which is part of the problem. Carelessness, though seemingly innocent at the time, can lead to serious consequences. Use the following tips to stay as safe as possible next time you’re operating a forklift.
Buckle Up
The number one mistake workers make when driving a forklift is the same mistake people make when driving a car—not wearing a seat belt. The safest place you could be around a forklift is strapped into the driver’s seat, so why wouldn’t you buckle up? It’s also required by OSHA that you wear one while operating a powered industrial truck, anyway. That seat belt could save your life if something goes wrong.
For Trained Operators Only …show more content…
But many people have this mentality that the two are essentially the same thing. Well, they’re not. Workers must go through specific training before they can operate forklifts and other powered industrial trucks. Training focuses on the actual operation of the vehicle, load capacities and how to balance loads, and all limitations of the vehicle. Training must also be site-specific, meaning it must occur under the conditions that will be experienced in the workplace. If you know you’re not trained to operate a specific vehicle in a specific setting, don’t operate it! Training and further evaluations are not something to take lightly, as they can prevent you from hurting yourself and