Forklift Operator Training

29 CFR 1910.178

WARNING

THE FOLLOWING
SLIDE SHOW CONTAINS
GRAPHIC IMAGES

Is Forklift Training Necessary?

About 100
deaths each year
About 95,000
accidents each year
Bankruptcy
New OSHA
training standard

Forklift Operating Goals

Hazards and forklift stability
Inspecting and operating a forklift
Quiz

Authorized Operator
Only trained and authorized personnel are
permitted to operate a forklift
Keep unauthorized employees off of forklifts
Keep pedestrians away from the operating
zone of a forklift
Lock out unsafe lifts as determined in a
preoperation inspection

Operating Hazards
Workplace hazards: ramps, railroad tracks,
slippery floors, poor lighting, congestion
Loads: large or bulky, uneven weight, broken
pallets, poorly stacked
Pedestrians: horseplay, unaware of forklift
areas, not paying attention

Nameplate

OSHA requires a legible nameplate

Includes modifications & attachments
Capacity
Load center

Center of Gravity
Balance point
48
A

Distance from the edge of the

item to the items center of gravity
20
B

40

Load Center
Distance from vertical face of the forks
to the loads center of gravity
48

A: Load center = 24"

B: Load center = 40"

80
B

1 inch = 100 lbs

Important reason for keeping the load
resting against the vertical face of forks

Stability Triangle
3-point suspension
Forklifts center of gravity

Combined center of gravity

Load center beyond 24"

Combined Actions
Center of gravity moves
side to side

Center of gravity
moves forward
Center of gravity moves
backward to the thin portion
of the triangle

Attachments
Specific
operator training
Weight of
attachments
Increased
load center

Tipping Over

Do not jump
Hold onto the steering wheel
Brace your feet
Lean away from the fall

Forklift Operating Goals

Hazards and forklift
stability
Inspecting and
operating a forklift
Quiz

Preoperation Inspection
As an authorized operator,
it is your responsibility to
make sure your forklift
functions properly
OSHA requires
preoperation inspections
Company wants to comply
with OSHA and be sure
equipment is maintained

Walk Around
Forklift properly disengaged
Forks down, key off, neutral gear, parking brake on

Left/right side
Tire condition, tight lug nuts, no debris around axle,
overhead guard is solid, no debris behind the mast

Front
Forks in good shape, fork pins in place, backrest
solid, mast & chains greased, hoses in good shape

Rear
Counterbalance bolt is tight, radiator clear of debris

In the Seat
Nonmoving checks
Gauges, lights, horn, back-up alarm, blinking
warning light, operate the tilt & lift mechanism,
check the parking brake

Moving checks
Put on the seat belt, check the running brakes,
check the steering

Look for oil or water leaks on the floor

Operating a Lift Truck

Only trained, authorized operators

Immediately report forklift-related accidents
Seat belts must always be worn
No person should stand under elevated
portion of lift truck
Forklift controls operated only from
drivers seat
Never block exits or emergency equipment
Smoking is not permitted

Loading/Unloading
Before raising a load, understand:
Approximate weight of the load
Location of the loads center of gravity

Inspect load for stability, projections,

damaged pallets before lifting
Restack unstable loads
Never place weight on the back of
a lift truck to increase its capacity
Towing always done from rear towing pin

Traveling

Always look in the direction of travel

Keep body inside the cage
When moving, the mast must not be raised
Sound the horn
Operate at safe speeds
When turning, watch rear end swing
Clearance under overhead installations

Traveling (cont.)

Avoid loose objects or holes

If load blocks view, travel in reverse
Never carry passengers
Pedestrians always have the right-of-way
Safe distance from edge of ramps or docks
Never eat or drink
No stunt driving or horseplay

Ramps and Railroads

Never turn on a ramp

On ramps the load should be upgrade
Ascend or descend ramps slowly
Railroad tracks are crossed diagonally
Never park within 8 feet of the center of
railroad tracks

Docks

Inspect the dock plate

Check the trailer floor condition
Trailer wheels are chocked
Nose of the trailer is supported
by the tractor or a fixed jack

Parking

Lower the forks

Set gear to neutral
Set the parking brake
Turn off the key

Propane Refueling
Propane is a combustible, compressed gas
Propane leaks are detected by:
Distinct odor
Hissing sound
Frost on fittings

PPE: gloves, safety glasses

Battery Charging

Inspect battery connectors for damage

No smoking in battery-charging area
Immediately clean up electrolyte spills
PPE includes face mask, acid-resistant
gloves, and an apron

Forklift Operating Goals

Hazards and Forklift Stability
Inspecting and Operating a Forklift
Quiz

Summary

Facility hazards
Load center and capacity
Preoperation inspection
Rules of the road
Refueling

A breakdown of the 680,400

accidents:
90,000 employees injured
100 deaths

In percent what Causes Lift Truck

Accidents?

Employees overcome by fumes

Fork lift struck material
Lost control of the fork lift
Improper
maintenance
procedures

In percent what Causes Lift Truck

Accidents?
Ran off loading dock
Elevated employee on lift
Struck by falling load
Struck by powered fork lift
Tip over of fork lift

In percent what Causes Lift Truck

Accidents?
Electrocutions
Improper use of fork lift
Employee fell from fork lift
Unloading unchocked trailer

SHAWNS BAR CHART

Quiz
1. If your forklift has a rearview mirror,
looking behind you is not necessary.
True or False
2. Name two of the three ways to detect
a propane leak: _______________, _______________
3. Describe the four items that must be completed
prior to driving your forklift into a trailer.
4. If a load blocks your vision, it is OK to raise
the load while moving to see under it.
True or False
5. Preoperation inspections are done only
because OSHA says we have to do them. True or False

Quiz (cont.)
6. Attachments reduce capacity by increasing
the load center and adding weight.
True or False
7. Minimum PPE items required when refueling
a propane tank are ___________, ____________.
8. The most important differences between a
forklift and a car are weight and steering. True or False
9. Name at least one condition that when
combined with turning sharply may cause a tipover.
10. Pedestrians have the right-of-way only
while in designated pedestrian lanes.
True or False

Quiz Answers
1. False. You must always look behind you before
backing up.
2. Hissing sound, distinct odor, or frost on fittings.
3. Chock the wheels, support the nose of the trailer,
inspect the dock plate, check the trailer floor.
4. False. Never drive with the load up. Drive in reverse
when the load obstructs forward vision.
5. False. Inspections are also done so that the operator
can prevent mechanical failure accidents and because
the company needs to prove compliance with OSHAs
requirement.

Quiz Answers (cont.)

6. True. Attachments are heavy, and they cause
the load center to move away from the forklift.
7. Gloves and safety glasses are the minimum PPE
required.
8. True. There are many differences, but the most
significant are weight and steering.
9. Hitting a pothole, carrying an off-center load,
getting a flat tire, having a raised & tilted back
load, or being on a ramp.
10. False. Pedestrians always have the right of way.

YOUR OPERATION TEST