5 Forklift Safety Tips

Forklifts are a useful and important piece of equipment for people working in many different industries. Over the years these machines have gone through many different upgrades, with today’s versions both easier to use and better for the environment. As we’ve discussed in the past, there are numerous different types of forklifts, all of which are intended for various purposes. Once you have figured out which type of forklift (electric or gas; three-wheel or rough terrain, etc) is best for your needs, you can start looking into forklift rentals or sales. Forklifts are wonderful labor-saving machines that save time and reduce the risk of injury associated with manual heavy lifting. In order to ensure worker safety, it is important that you spend some time going over the rules of operation as well as safety.

If operated by a reckless of untrained driver, forklifts can actually be quite dangerous. This is why it is absolutely imperative that anyone who is operating a forklift receives proper training and guidance before they ever step foot in the machine. Forklifts can weigh more than three tons and can reach speeds of about 10 mph, which means that they can be quite dangerous and cause serious injury if not operated safely. While they are very useful machines, they can also be a source of danger in certain circumstances. With this in mind, we thought it would be beneficial to go over some safety tips for forklift operators. Even though the majority of these tips seem like common sense, they are nevertheless important to discuss.

Tip #1: Make sure all operators are trained and qualified. Workers who have not undergone thorough forklift safety training should not be allowed to operate the machine in any capacity. Operating a forklift can be complicated and quite difficult if you don’t know what you are doing. With this in mind, it is important that forklifts are only operated by those who have been trained properly and have a license to man the machine.

Tip #2: Operators should wear the correct clothing. Anyone who is operating a forklift should take the time to wear appropriate clothing so risky situations are not created. Correct clothing includes a hard hat, safety shoes, and a hi-visibility jacket. All forklift operators should wear reasonably fitted clothing, as ill-fitting or loose clothes could get caught in the forklift.

Tip #3: The forklift should be examined before use. All forklift operators should get in the habit of performing a routine check of the equipment before use. In order to ensure the safety of the operator, forklifts should undergo routine maintenance and the machine’s brakes, steering, controls, mast, tires, and warning devices should be checked before use.

Tip #4: Drivers should operate at a safe speed. One of the biggest mistakes novice forklift drivers make is operating at unsafe speeds. In order to avoid accidents and injuries, forklifts should never exceed the speed limit and drivers should be careful to take all turns slowly.

Tip #5: Make sure the load is stable. Forklifts that are not loaded safely and securely are at a greater chance of causing damage or injuries. Before moving the machine, make sure the load is carefully secured and stacked so that there are no transportation issues once you begin moving. You should also check for any overhead objects when lifting loads, as this could cause an accident.

To learn more about forklift sales, rentals, or repairs in Arlington, please contact Ace Equipment today. Our forklift inventory is updated on a regular basis and we are happy to answer any questions you may have pertaining to forklifts and how to operate them safely. Happy lifting!