Safety on the job is extremely important, and when using heavy equipment it is important to make sure employees have the proper training. Using a forklift can be hazardous for anyone involved, and accidents involving forklifts cause roughly 20,000 injuries and nearly 100 fatalities per year. Training employees will help reduce the occurrence of such tragic accidents.
Forklifts can topple over, cause fire hazards when refueling, drop heavy objects and collide with other vehicles, objects and people. It is important to convey these risks to employees and train them accordingly. The most common accidents while using a forklift are rollovers which can be prevented by going the proper speed, not carrying excess loads, and being sure cargo is securely fastened.
Along with safe operating practices, it is important that employees who drive the forklift wear a seatbelt. While an accident might not seem likely, it is always important to be prepared. Wearing the forklift seatbelt will help keep the driver in the vehicle in case of an accident or rollover, which will decrease the likelihood of being crushed by the vehicle or what it is transporting.
Those who work with or near forklifts that carry heavy loads should always wear a hardhat protection in the event that something falls from the forklift. General maintenance of forklifts should be done as necessary and inspections should be done at the beginning of each day or shift.
Weekly meetings on important topics such as forklift safety should be an integral part of any safety program. Weekly safety topics ensure that workers receive the information they need to stay safe on the job, which is your number one priority as a Safety Manager.
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