Forklift Safety Procedures

Date: 2025-07-30

Duration: [DURATION] minutes

Presenter: [PRESENTER NAME]

Location: [LOCATION]

Objective

The objective of this talk is to ensure all forklift operators understand and adhere to safety procedures, reducing the risk of accidents and promoting a safe working environment for everyone.

Introduction

This toolbox talk covers the essential safety procedures for operating forklifts, focusing on pre-shift inspections, safe load handling techniques, and pedestrian safety to prevent accidents and injuries.

Key Points

• Pre-Shift Inspections: Before each shift, conduct a thorough inspection of the forklift. Check for leaks, worn hoses, loose belts, broken structures, and loose or missing bolts. Ensure all guards and screens are secure. [1] [1]
• Safe Operation: Always remain completely inside the cab enclosure while operating the machine and always wear the seat belt while operating the machine. [1] [1]
• Path of Travel: Inspect the path of travel before beginning movement. Avoid holes and dropoffs. [2]
• Leaving the Forklift: When leaving the operator's station: Place the directional controls in neutral, apply the parking brake, and lower the attachment to the ground. [2]

Hazard Identification

• Unstable Loads: Loads that are not properly secured can shift or fall, causing serious injuries to operators or nearby personnel.
• Pedestrian Traffic: Collisions with pedestrians can result in severe injuries, especially in areas with limited visibility.
• Slopes and Uneven Surfaces: Operating on slopes can cause the forklift to tip over, leading to operator injury and load damage.
• Obstructions: Hitting obstructions can cause loss of control, leading to collisions or tipovers. [1]

Control Measures

• Use a spotter in areas with high pedestrian traffic or limited visibility.: Ensure the spotter is clearly visible and communicates effectively with the operator.
• Reduce speed in congested areas and intersections.: Maintain a safe speed that allows for quick stops and maneuvering.
• When loaded, always travel with the load uphill. When unloaded, travel with the attachment downhill.: Ascend and descend slowly and with caution and avoid turning, travel straight up and down. [2] [2] [2]
• Keep the boom at or below horizontal, with the load close to the ground.: Always move a load so that you have maximum machine stability and visibility is not obstructed. [3]

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

• Seat Belt: Always wear a seat belt while operating the forklift to minimize injury in case of a collision or tip-over. [1]
• High-Visibility Vest: Wear high-visibility clothing to ensure you are seen by other workers and forklift operators, especially in busy areas.

Group Discussion

Discuss the following questions:

1. What are some near-miss incidents you've experienced while operating a forklift?
2. How can we improve pedestrian safety in our work areas?
3. What are the most challenging aspects of performing pre-shift inspections?

Emergency Procedures

1. In case of a tip-over, stay inside the cab and brace yourself.
2. If a load falls, immediately stop the forklift and warn others in the area.

Summary

Recap of main points:

• Always perform a pre-shift inspection to identify and address potential issues.
• Operate the forklift at a safe speed, especially in congested areas.
• Be aware of pedestrians and maintain a safe distance.
• Ensure loads are stable and within the forklift's capacity.

Report all hazards, near-misses, and incidents to your supervisor immediately.

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