OSHA Occupational Safety and Hazards Association estimates that there are 34,900 serious injury accidents occurring around forklifts every year. Around 90 deaths occur from forklifts every year in the United States. Be sure that you and your employees are forklift certified before operating this type of machinery. Employers must have in place a forklift safety program and evaluate it and operators every 3 years.

1. Only certified operators should operate a forklift.
2. Do a safety check on your machine before each use.
3. Know your equipment and how it should operate.
4. Always wear the appropriate safety gear.
5. Have a spotter if needed.
6. A forklift is not a passenger vehicle.
7. Always wear your seat belt.
8. Always use both forks.
9. Know your load limits and height restrictions.
10. No one should ever be under the load.
11. Keep the forks as close to the ground as possible.
12. Avoid uneven ground.
13. Check fluids and know where the levels should be.
14. Watch for and know where hazards are.
15. Don’t be afraid to use the horn.
16. It is okay to drive backwards.
17. No unstable loads ever.
18. Special care for special loads.
19. Slow down for corners.
20. Never place your hands on the mast.
21. Have a set of hand signals in place and be familiar with them.
22. Be trained and take an OSHA approved training program.
23. Be trained at each place you operate forklifts
24. Be wary of others and know where they are.
25. Alcohol and drugs do not mix with forklifts.

Here is a link for more information and how to get free forklift certifications.

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