Driving a forklift is a big responsibility. Driving one in the winter even more so. Icy surfaces, slick tires, heavy loads and cold exposure all make the operator’s job even hard. So give them a break!
Category: Forklift Hazards and Accidents
Forklift safety for all
Reported incidents with forklifts in BC in the last 6 months include fractures, internal injuries, crushing and bruising. Often it is not the operator but a pedestrian who is injured. Employers please remember just training the operators is not enough, you must also ensure you systematically supervise safe operation and all that entails. Identifying and […]
Safe forklift operation
Forklift safety comes down to training and supervision. You can’t expect an untrained operator to drive safely, and even after professional training operators need to be supervised on an ongoing basis. Employers are responsible for ensuring operators have the right training.
Don’t fool around with forklifts
This is a real WorkSafeBC incident report: “Three workers entered a work yard as a forklift operator was loading a semi-trailer. The three workers communicated to the forklift operator that they were all in a safe position but one worker snuck up behind the forklift to scare the operator. The forklift was in reverse, and […]
Forklift safety – look at the big picture
Employers, forklift operators, co-workers please remember that forklift safety is everybody’s responsibility, as summarized in the regulations. This means that operator training should be part of a larger comprehensive lift truck safety program that includes ongoing identification and prompt correction of hazardous situations; as well as monitoring and supervision to ensure that lift trucks are operated in […]
Forklift safety training tip
This is a classic example of a badly parked forklift. Forks are a serious tripping hazard for everybody. You an easily break your ankle or be cut by incorrectly positioned fork tips. All forklift training programs must cover correct parking and shutdown procedures. And guess who most often falls over the forks – the operator! […]
Forklift load safety and operator training
Unstable loads are dangerous and can cause injuries. Even a light box flying off the forks or falling from height is going to harm pedestrians in its path. Forklift operator training must cover load safety. Operators need to be able to assess if a load is within the capacity of the forklift, stable on the […]
Heat awareness for forklift operators
Driving a forklift outdoors in the summer can make you really hot. There is no air con, and if your overhead guard has a plexiglass cover you feel like you are in greenhouse, plus the engine is right under your butt. Employers make sure you give these drivers a break. Heat exhaustion leads to accidents. […]
Forklift safety starts here
An amazing number of operators are injured when getting on and off their forklift. Slips, trips and falls are still one of the most common causes of workplace accidents. So here is the rule: use 3 points of contact mounting or dismounting the forklift – this means either two hands and one foot, or one hand and […]
Forklift safety with Martin’s Forklift
Spotted recently an operator with a tricky load! Things to consider: capacity of forklift, weight of loads, condition of pallets, clearances, other traffic, blind spots – all subjects covered in our corporate on site training programs. Now available for businesses on Vancouver Island.