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You really can’t be too safe at work, especially when using forklifts and transporting heavy pallets of material. Every year, hundreds of accidents happen involving forklifts, most of which could have been avoided if appropriate safety protocols had been followed. A safety champion can help your workplace avoid injury and create positive effects on overall employee welfare and workplace safety. What is a Safety Champion? A safety champion is the person in charge of safety awareness in a warehouse or mat…

Forklifts are amazing mechanical inventions, designed to streamline and simplify material handling processes, but they are also – like any piece of heavy machinery – dangerous when not handled correctly. When used properly, a forklift can make an entire day’s worth of work a matter of an hour or two, shifting and organizing inventory in neat rows and stacks. Carelessness, however, can cause significant danger and injury. How can you minimize the chances of a harmful incident in your warehouse or loading bay…

Both OSHA and most state governments have strict rules concerning forklift training and certification. It is a violation of federal law for an unqualified person to drive a forklift, and fines can be anywhere from $7,000-$70,000 depending on whether a person is simply caught operating such a vehicle without the corre3ct training, or if an accident occurs during unauthorized operation. Forklifts qualify as “industrial trucks”, the operation of which OSHA is very specific about, stating that "Every employe…

Forklift drivers are required by to be certified by a variety of centralized organizations. Various states have differing requirements, and all employers in all states are required by OSHA to confirm that their forklift operators are trained & evaluated every 3 years. It is a violation of Federal law for anyone UNDER 18 years of age to operate a forklift or for anyone OVER 18 years of age who is not properly trained and certified to do so. Many companies find it most effective to have their forklift …

While time and money mean that productivity and speed are important, safety is always number one when it comes to forklift operation. These eight best practices are ones that can keep your warehouse or on-site work location safe, sane, and efficient.  Maintenance. Forklifts have a service schedule for a reason, and abiding by the schedule can minimize unexpected breakdowns. Maybe a part looks OK, but if it’s past its use by date, a new one could save you more than the cost of putting it on. Proper main…

Operating a rough terrain forklift carries an entirely new set of challenges compared to indoor use on a level surface. Safe operation requires advanced skill and training in forklift usage, and specific protocols should be followed to ensure safety of the operator and others in the vicinity. Follow these guidelines to keep your operation safe. Check Your Vehicle A forklift that suddenly malfunctions can be a serious hazard, especially with a load in place. Damage to product or injury to personnel can b…

Staying safe around forklifts is a recurring theme. A forklift accident can cause damage to product or materials, damage to the forklift itself (an expensive piece of machinery), injury to the operator, or injury to other people in the vicinity. Following safety protocols and doing regular safety inspections can help keep your workplace safer and reduce the danger of accidental injury or damage. Forklift Safety Training It’s not just smart to make your forklift operators undergo certification – it’s req…

Accident prevention should be a priority in any warehouse. Protocols should be in place for each aspect of each task performed, and staff should be well trained to follow safety protocols. Forklift operation is one of the most potentially dangerous job son the floor, so here are some tips for preventing forklift accidents. Forklift accident prevention planning has three separate components. First, a clear set of policies should be put in place. Second, any needed changes to the workplace should be implem…