Why is forklift training important?
According to OSHA approximately 97,000 people are injured in accidents involving forklifts, with more than a third of those being serious injuries. Forklift operations can be deadly. Forklift training isn’t optional! OSHA requires workers who will operate and work near forklifts to complete training prior to work assignment. Understanding pre-use inspection, load limits, safe operating procedures, and when to remove the forklift is critical to safe operation.
What do I need to know?
So exactly what training is required by OSHA and what are few points of emphasis? OSHA’s Powered Industrial Trucks Standard 29 CFR 1910.178 is a good place to start and is the standard for forklift safety. However, knowing the standard is only the beginning, there is much to consider when operating forklifts.
What else can you do?
It’s easy to get fined for an old forklift that hasn’t been properly maintained, and broken equipment is responsible for many workplace injuries and accidents. Make sure you are performing your checkups on equipment to avoid that.
Forklifts are vastly different than personal vehicles, make sure to highlight the differences for employees such as the three-point suspension. You need to understand what the “stability triangle” is and how it impacts safe operation of your forklift. Part of that is knowing the basics of loading and unloading, which is a vital necessity in avoiding forklift accidents.
If you want to ensure that you and your employees are properly trained in forklift operation, call our office 877-209-9648, or email sales@pasafety.com to reach a representative about scheduling a class. We travel around the country teaching safety training courses. If you can work around our schedule, many times there isn’t much travel cost associated. Our mission is to reduce workplace accidents and injuries. Please let us know how we can help.
For More Information on Forklift Safety check out these articles:
5 Elements of Forklift Training
OSHA Standards
20 Tips for Safe Handling
