Forklift SafetyForklift Safety

Motor Vehicle AccidentsMotor Vehicle AccidentsMotor Vehicle AccidentsMotor Vehicle Accidents

To protect employees

To protect company assets

It’s the law!

Why Forklift Safety?Why Forklift Safety?

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

1992 1995 1998 2001 2004

Fatalities

Potential

Fatalities Source BLS

Fatalities Source BLS

6%

6%

8%

17%

14%

14%

24%

11%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

Other Accident

Died Repairing

Impact or off Dock

Worker Pinned

Fell from PIT

Worker Struck by Truck

Struck by Load

Tipover

7th on OSHA’s Top 10 list7th on OSHA’s Top 10 list

Powered Industrial Trucks – 1910.178 (3,262 Total Violations)– Top 5 sections cited:

• 1910.178(L)(l) Failure to ensure each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely

• 1910.178(L)(4)(iii) Failure to evaluate each powered industrial truck operator’s performance at least once every three years

• 1910.178(L)(6) Failure to certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated

• 1910.178(p)(1) Failure to take damaged powered industrial trucks out of service

• 1910.178(Q)(7) Failure to examine powered industrial trucks before placing in service

Benefits to Forklift Safety TrainingBenefits to Forklift Safety Training

• Improve Attitude

• Increase Production

• Increase Operator Safety

• Lower Maintenance Costs

• Lower # of Accidents/Severity

• Lower Insurance Cost

• Fulfill OSHA Requirements

LabelsLabels

Warning Label

!Dan

ger L

abel

Caution Label

Nameplate / Data PlateNameplate / Data Plate

Types of ForkliftsTypes of Forklifts

Operator’s ManualOperator’s Manual

OSHA says you SHALL Read and Understand the Operator’s Manual

The Main Parts of the TruckThe Main Parts of the Truck

Lift Truck vs. AutomobilesLift Truck vs. Automobiles

• Lift Trucks– Not for personal use– Weighs greater than

5,000 lbs.– Rear wheel steering– Training required– Operates on various

surfaces

• Automobiles– For personal use– Weighs less than

5,000 lbs.– Front wheel

steering– Training required– Operates on

smooth, paved surfaces

Mast:What do you really need to know?

Mast:What do you really need to know?

• Never reach into/through mast

• Never stand under forks/load– Never allow others under

Lift Truck BalanceLift Truck Balance

• Internal Combustion

Counterweight

• Electric Powered

Industrial battery

ImbalanceImbalance

• Moving center of gravity outside stability Pyramid:– Loss of steering– Loss of traction– Unstable load– Potential for a tip over– Potential for a tip up

Daily InspectionDaily Inspection

1910.178(q)(7)

Industrial trucks shall be examined before being placed in service…

Why Do A Pre-Operation Inspection?Why Do A Pre-Operation Inspection?

Completion of InspectionCompletion of Inspection

• Report defects to appropriate personnel

• Never operate a truck in need of repair

• Authorized & trained personnel repair trucks

The Visual InspectionThe Visual Inspection

The Operational InspectionThe Operational Inspection

• Operator restraint system

• Horn• Warning

devices• Unusual engine

noise• Fuel level• Gauge readings

• Hydraulics• Steering lock to

lock• Service brake • Park brake• Plugging on

electric powered trucks

Designated AreasDesignated Areas

Operating a ForkliftTraveling & Maneuvering

Operating a ForkliftTraveling & Maneuvering

Mounting – Dismounting

Operating a ForkliftStarting & StoppingOperating a ForkliftStarting & Stopping

Operating a ForkliftOperational SpeedsOperating a ForkliftOperational Speeds

Safe Operating GuidelinesSafe Operating Guidelines

• Safe distance from docks and ramps, stairway, fire aisle & equipment

• No on-the-go directional changes (IC trucks)• Operating surfaces must support truck and load

Speed vs. ReactionSpeed vs. Reaction

Reaction Time18-21 years = ¾ second21- over = 1.5 second

Speed 8.7 mphEquals13 feet per second

Pedestrian TrafficPedestrian Traffic

• Pedestrians have right of way• When approaching corners, intersections:• When passing pedestrians

Operating the ForkliftUsing the Pedal

Operating the ForkliftUsing the Pedal

Operating ForkliftSteering/Turning/Changing Directions

Operating ForkliftSteering/Turning/Changing Directions

Hazards: Tip over : Collision : Struck-by/Crushing Injuries : Load falls

Operating a ForkliftParking

Operating a ForkliftParking

Operating the ForkliftOperating the Forklift

AttachmentsAttachments

TipoversTipovers

IN CASE OF A TIPOVER

Understanding the WorkplaceUnderstanding the Workplace

TrainingTraining

• All operators must be certified by the following

• Retraining

• Certification includes