Forklift Safety Procedures
Safety procedures for forklifts or powered industrial trucks come from a variety of sources: federal and state laws as well as individual company policies. Typically, forklift safety procedures are based on OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards. The vast majority of these are common sense, but they do require knowledge of the applicable laws and documentation.
General Safety Procedures
Be specific.
According to OSHA, a forklift must be maintained by a daily inspection, once per shift, prior to operation. In additional, only qualified technicians may make any major corrections or maintenance. When operating a forklift, all drivers must be made aware of tight corners, pedestrians and hazards in the workplace. Seat belts, if supplied by the manufacturer, must be worn and not removed. All drivers should stop, sound the horn and look for traffic or pedestrians when entering or exiting a building.
Site-Specific Considerations
Train employees.
In the workplace, specific hazards may affect forklift operation in particular places of use. Among these are operating in the presence of flammables or combustibles, near equipment or machinery and in roadways. Part of establishing safe procedures is to do a hazard analysis of the workplace to find these conditions. Drivers who operate near any of these conditions will need training on the additional hazards as part of forklift compliance.
Safe Procedures Mean Safe Drivers
Look for hazards.
OSHA's most frequently cited violation is lack of training of operators. Safe procedures mean training of all operators before they begin work on forklifts. New employees should never be allowed to operate one without training, even if they have been trained elsewhere. Forklift laws are site specific to the place of operation and equipment used. In addition, all employees must be retrained at least every three years. A written program with a policy in place and a copy of the OSHA forklift law (29CFR 1910.147) must be available on site, as well. Remember to document all training. Never allow a worker under 18 or one who is impaired to operate a forklift; it's a violation of federal law to do so.
General Safety Procedures
Be specific.
According to OSHA, a forklift must be maintained by a daily inspection, once per shift, prior to operation. In additional, only qualified technicians may make any major corrections or maintenance. When operating a forklift, all drivers must be made aware of tight corners, pedestrians and hazards in the workplace. Seat belts, if supplied by the manufacturer, must be worn and not removed. All drivers should stop, sound the horn and look for traffic or pedestrians when entering or exiting a building.
Site-Specific Considerations
Train employees.
In the workplace, specific hazards may affect forklift operation in particular places of use. Among these are operating in the presence of flammables or combustibles, near equipment or machinery and in roadways. Part of establishing safe procedures is to do a hazard analysis of the workplace to find these conditions. Drivers who operate near any of these conditions will need training on the additional hazards as part of forklift compliance.
Safe Procedures Mean Safe Drivers
Look for hazards.
OSHA's most frequently cited violation is lack of training of operators. Safe procedures mean training of all operators before they begin work on forklifts. New employees should never be allowed to operate one without training, even if they have been trained elsewhere. Forklift laws are site specific to the place of operation and equipment used. In addition, all employees must be retrained at least every three years. A written program with a policy in place and a copy of the OSHA forklift law (29CFR 1910.147) must be available on site, as well. Remember to document all training. Never allow a worker under 18 or one who is impaired to operate a forklift; it's a violation of federal law to do so.
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References
http://www.ehow.com/way_5251937_forklift-safety-procedures.html
http://forkliftsafetyapp.com/content/04-blog/how-to-get-a-customized-app-for-forklift-safety/app-for-forklift-safety.jpg
