How to Honor Forklift Safety Day

May 28, 2021

Forklift Safety Day is very important to the forklift industry. It increases forklift safety awareness, which saves lives.

Over a million forklifts are in operation in the U.S. alone. Accidents occur with one in every ten of those forklifts annually. These accidents kill nearly 100 workers every year while injuring another 20,000. They also cost the industry billions. Forklift accidents are so common, they even landed the seventh spot on OSHA's Top 10 Violations list for 2020.

You can have a positive impact on the industry by practicing forklift safety. Beyond accidents, forklift safety procedures can help regain lost productivity hours. There are also thousands in worker's comp claims to account for.

Get started now by checking out Forklift Inventory's top forklift safety procedures below!

Forklift Safety Procedures

Three main principles emerge from all forklift safety procedures.

Training, knowledge of the equipment, and operator protection will increase forklift safety.

For Forklift Safety Day, we've created a breakdown of each of these three factors. We'll also cover the OSHA forklift safety standards for each. Let's get started!

Know the Material

Operator errors are the leading cause of all industrial accidents. Every operator needs to complete training at the beginning of their employment. However, OSHA saw a 61% improvement in safety following refresher training.

Conduct refresher training as needed. Sometimes, it could be because an operator compromises safety or displays poor performance. Any workplace change, like purchasing a new forklift type, is an opportunity for more training. You should also always review the basics.

Operating a forklift is nothing like driving a car. It requires a special skill set, and your training should reflect that. A strong training program includes topics like batteries, load capacity, and maintenance. Also, make sure to regularly add updates to your training program.

Inspections and Evaluations

• OPERATOR. Inspections and evaluations impact more than your forklift. OSHA forklift safety also requires operator evaluations. This includes a talk about operator experience, an operation evaluation, and a write-up. The minimum is once every three years. However, OSHA encourages these evaluations to happen more frequently. We recommend getting on a monthly, bi-annually, or yearly schedule.
• VEHICLE. Forklift inspections should occur before every shift. There are many daily hazards that affect safety and performance. To ensure you're in line with OSHA forklift safety, incorporate this daily checklist. If your forklift is acting up or displaying error codes, perform the necessary maintenance.

Wear Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is an OSHA forklift safety requirement. PPE is safety equipment that protects an operator's body. It's one of the most important forklift safety procedures. OSHA even requires training for operators who don't know how to use PPE safely.

PPE can be provided by an employer or an employee. However, it should always include:

• EYEWEAR. Whether you work indoors or outdoors, protective eyewear is a must. Safety goggles or shields are necessary to protect operator's eyes from environmental hazards. Chemicals, concrete, and other foreign matter can cause serious harm to unprotected eyes.
• FOOTWEAR. Safety shoes, usually steel-capped boots, are necessary for anyone working near forklifts. Forklifts handle heavy loads that could fall on a worker's foot at any moment. A worker's foot could even be run over. Proper foot protection will prevent or mitigate injuries from occuring.
• HANDWEAR. Residue, chemicals, and bruising are all threats to an operator's skin. Gloves protect from these elements while offering a better grip when handling controls.
• HEADWEAR. A hard hat will protect an operator's head from potential dangers in the warehouses.
• CLOTHING. This is the most important PPE. Operators must wear high visibility reflective clothing. This makes operators easy to see, especially in the dark or from a distance. Avoid loose clothing, as it can snag on machinery.

Invest in Good Equipment for a Safe Warehouse Environment

The most basic component of forklift safety is your forklift itself. Since 90% of forklifts are involved in accidents in their lifetime, top-quality equipment is essential.

This Forklift Safety Day and beyond, Forklift Inventory's got you covered!

We know the role quality equipment plays in your warehouse's forklift safety. That's why Forklift Inventory wants you to have access to the top forklifts on the market.

We also recognize that every business needs something different. We partner with hundreds of dealers to collect the largest inventory of equipment. With Forklift Inventory, you'll find exactly what you're looking for!

Receive free quotes and information by filling out this short form. Then, Forklift Inventory experts will match you with equipment that's tailored to your business needs.

Celebrate Forklift Safety Day and maximize your forklift safety with new equipment now.

Upgrade Your Forklift Safety with New Equipment

Further Reading:

• How to Comply with OSHA Forklift Regulations
• Forklift Safety: How to Conduct a Brake Inspection
• How to Comply with Propane Tank Safely Regulations