5 Essential Forklift Safety Tips

Forklifts are wonderful machines which have undeniably revolutionised how warehouses and similar spaces function, by helping to maximise available space, and massively increase efficiency and productivity.

But, there’s no getting away from it, forklifts can be dangerous, especially if they’re misused, not correctly maintained or serviced, and if owners and operators are not obeying simple, yet essential rules on their safe use. So, to help you, your team and any visitors to the workplace the forklift is being operated, we’ve put together a list of 5 essential forklift safety tips that all forklift operators and owners should be aware of and be adhering to.

1. 
   

   Make Sure Forklift Training Is Provided

   
   

   Ensuring all forklift operators are properly trained is essential from a moral and practical standpoint, and also a legal obligation under Regulation 9 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, which says:

   
   
   
   
   1. Every employer shall ensure that all persons who use work equipment have received adequate training for purposes of health and safety, including training in the methods which may be adopted when using the work equipment, any risks which such use may entail and precautions to be taken.
   
   
   2. Every employer shall ensure that any of his employees who supervises or manages the use of work equipment has received adequate training for purposes of health and safety, including training in the methods which may be adopted when using the work equipment, any risks which such use may entail and precautions to be taken.
   
   
   
   
2. 
   

   Regularly Inspect Your Forklifts

   
   

   Again, this isn’t only essential to the safety of your forklift operators and other workers in the area, forklift inspections are also a legal obligation as set out by LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations). LOLER regulations insist that as well as daily maintenance checks, a Thorough Examination must be carried out at regular intervals (yearly or more often if necessary), which will check the condition of things including

   
   
   
   
   • Brakes
   
   
   • Hydraulic hoses
   
   
   • Rams and seals
   
   
   • Lift chains
   
   
   • Tyre pressures and tyre conditions
   
   
   • All controls
   
   
   • Indicators and other lights
   
   
   • Fork configuration
   
   
   • Power sources
   
   
   • Cockpit and relevant protection
   
   
   
   


3. 
   

   Wear The Right Gear

   
   

   If you manage or own a business that uses forklifts, all forklift operators and those that work in the area of operation must have access to various protective clothing, including:

   
   
   
   
   • Safety shoes – Preferably steel toe-capped, to protect against foot injuries from falling objects or other potential hazards common in an industrial environment.
   
   
   • Hard hat – These must be the right type of hard hat for the environment and meet specific hard hat compliance, including having an adjustable strap, being clean, and is regularly inspected.
   
   
   • Tight-fitting clothing – This is essential when working with any moving machinery including a forklift, which has a variety of moving parts that could trap loose-fitting clothing.
   
   
   • Hi-Vis Jacket – Being seen is essential to everyone working on a commercial site, particularly if a forklift or a series of forklifts are in operation.
   
   
   
   


4. 
   

   Know Your Surroundings

   
   

   Knowing your surroundings is one of the most important forklift health and safety rules, and is basically about the operator being aware of their surroundings, before operating the forklift, and includes:

   
   
   
   
   • Knowing and understanding relevant site rules, such as speed limits, and where and when it’s safe to operate.
   
   
   • Having architectural knowledge of the area, including where low ceilings, tight bends, or narrow passageways are located.
   
   
   
   


5. 
   

   Know And Obey Safe Loading Guidelines

   
   

   This safety tip can’t be stressed enough – safe loading guidelines must be followed by all forklift operators or loading assistants. The basic forklift loading guidelines include:

   
   
   
   
   • Loads should be stacked correctly and across both forks
   
   
   • Forks should sit low whilst the forklift is moving
   
   
   • Pallets should be used to spread and balance the load
   
   
   • Loads should be sufficiently secured using ropes or straps
   
   
   • Loads should be tilted back slightly
   
   
   • Checks must be made for overhead obstacles
   
   
   • Maximum capacity should never be exceeded
   
   
   • Loads must be carefully inspected before the forklift moves
   
   
   
   

Forklift Sales And Rental

If you’re looking to buy or rent a forklift for your business, contact Beds & Bucks Forktrucks Ltd., one of the UK's leading forklift suppliers and forklift servicing and repair specialists in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.