Blog

National Forklift Safety Day provides an opportunity for industry leaders to educate forklift users and lawmakers on the administration of safe forklift operational practices. About 100 employees are killed and 95,000 injured every year while operating forklifts in all industries. Forklift turnovers account for a significant percentage of these fatalities.

Safety Solutions:

• Train, evaluate and certify all operators to ensure that they can operate forklifts safely;
• Do not allow anyone under 18 years old to operate a forklift;
• Before using a forklift, examine it for hazardous conditions which would make it unsafe to operate;
• Drive safely, never exceeding 5 mph and slow down in congested areas or those with slippery surfaces;
• Ensure that the operator wears a seatbelt installed by the manufacturer;
• Use front & rear safety lights and alarms
• Never drive up to a person standing in front of a fixed object such as a wall or stacked materials;
• Do not handle loads that are heavier than the weight capacity of the forklift;
• Remove unsafe or defective trucks from service until the defect is properly repaired;
• Maintain sufficiently safe clearances for aisles, docks or passages where forklifts are used;
• Provide covers and/or guardrails to protect workers from pits, tanks, vats and ditches;

The following OSHA checklists may help you take steps to avoid hazards that cause injuries, illnesses and fatalities. As always, be cautious and seek help if you are concerned about a potential hazard. General Safety:

❏ Floors and aisles are clear of clutter, electrical cords, hoses, spills and other hazards that could cause employees to slip, trip or fall.
❏ Proper work practices are factored into determining the time requirements for an employee to perform a task.
❏ Employees performing physical work have adequate periodic rest breaks to avoid fatigue levels that could result in greater risk of accidents and reduced quality of work.
❏ Newly-hired employees receive general ergonomics training and task-specific training.
❏ The warehouse is well ventilated.
❏ Employees are instructed on how to avoid heat stress in hot, humid environments.
❏ Employees are instructed on how to work in cold environments.
❏ The facility has lockout/tagout procedures.

KMH continually strives to educate our customers about lift truck operation, safety and industrial regulations for both ANSI and OSHA. With proper forklift training, you can reduce your downtime due to improper operation and provide effective, timely maintenance and repair of your lift truck fleet. We provide a range of forklift training classes at progressive levels to meet your needs!

To learn more about our safety programs: http://www.kmhsystems.com/service-solutions/forklift-training/ Or call us at: 888-564-7978