Forklifts Take Special Training

The forklift is one of the most common pieces of industrial equipment.  Unfortunately, it is also commonly involved in serious injuries.

Keep these safe practices in mind for safe forklift operation:

• Wear the required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).  .
• Use your seatbelt.  Keep your head, arms and legs within the protective canopy or cage. 
• Always be alert to pedestrians, especially at blind corners or when driving beside a walkway. 
• Never drive up to someone standing in front of a fixed object such as bench, wall or pallet of materials. 
• Always face the direction of travel, even when you are backing up.
• Know the load limit of your forklift, and do not exceed it. 
• Lift and lower loads slowly and carefully.  Never lift a load with a single fork.

A forklift handles much differently from an automobile.  Training is required, sometimes mandatory before attempting to operate a forklift.