We have been busy creating new products - Take a look here New Products

Fork and Lift Truck Safety: Awareness, Precautions, and Tips

Fork and Lift Truck Safety: Awareness, Precautions, and Tips

Matt Nieszczur
6 minute read

Listen to article
Audio generated by DropInBlog's Blog Voice AI™ may have slight pronunciation nuances. Learn more
To watch this episode, click here

In the last episode, we spoke about rack safety. The second half of that episode covered fork and lift truck safety. There’s an old sales adage that states, a customer must be exposed to a product or service 7 times or more before they’re willing to purchase. With social media, and changes within sales and marketing, that more than likely has changed. However, the point of that saying is that sometimes you need to hear something several times before it sinks in. So in today’s episode, we’re going to cover Fork and Lift Truck Safety – just a little bit more.

Statistics

In addition to wanting the information and the importance of the information to sink in,it’s very important to point out some of the statistics surrounding this topic. According to OSHA (The Occupational Safety and Health Administration), fork and lift trucks account for dozens of deaths and thousands of serious injuries per year. Well over a third of those deaths are caused from fork and lift trucks tipping over and crushing the driver. Although there are certainly cases where it didn’t help, the very first way to avoid this happening is by wearing the proper safety belts and harnesses while operating fork and lift trucks.

The Best Precaution is Awareness and Preparation

Do you see a bit of a trend here? Most of these injuries and deaths could be avoided. Before ever getting on or operating a tow or lift truck, be certain that you’ve taken and know all the required safety training to operate the equipment. Most importantly, employ your training in your day to day actions, and make sure your co-workers are doing the same. If you don’t know or something seems incorrect, consult a supervisor.

Tips For Loading/Unloading Cargo

Facilities with loading docks have one of the higher incident rates among fork and lift trucks. These areas are a whirl of hive-like activity. When in these areas, you have several things you need to be paying attention to. To start off, again, be sure to be wearing the proper safety belts and harnesses. Next, pay extra close attention to the safety signs, floor markings, and lights directing you where and when it’s safe to proceed. Pay attention to your surroundings by making sure there’s no debris, improperly placed materials, or  slick conditions (due to oil or water). Before attempting to enter a truck, make sure you pay attention to the following:

  • Make sure you have your lights on and can see in front of you.

  • Use your horn going in and out of trucks to assure people know you’re present.

  • Look to make sure there are no people and/or other Fork and Lift Trucks already in the truck.

  • Make sure you have your forks high enough to avoid pushing your pallets along the ground, but low enough to see over it. 

    • Allowing pallets to drag damages both the pallets and the floor markings. In addition, having them too high also means your mast is probably heightened, which puts you at risk of hitting the top of the truck or dock door.

  • Before pulling up into a truck, check to make sure the truck is completely pulled into docks and has brakes/locks applied. Also, ensure the dock doors are completely up.

  • Pay attention to placement of product to assure everything is safe and secure, not just for the product, but for the driver as well.

  • And as mentioned in the first part of this Podcast -if you don’t know or something seems incorrect – consult a supervisor.

Check Out Our Other Episodes!

Thank you for listening to Warehouse Safety Tips – and have SAFE day!


  

Information from Warehouse Safety Tips!

If you’re a seasoned Podcast Listener – this podcast is going to be different from most you listen to.  It’s based around exactly what the name implies – Warehouse Safety Tips. And since the people in this industry are busy, we understand that time is money. Because of this, each episode will be as short and to the point as possible. You can find the show notes to each episode, links to information mentioned on the podcast, the social media platforms we’re on, and anything else related to the podcast at WarehouseSafteyTips.com

More About Mighty Line Floor Tape

If you’ve ever been to or worked in a warehouse – you know just how important safety is to both management and staff.  It’s almost impossible to go 10 steps without seeing Safety Tape, Angles, Signs, and/or products.

It’s these items that show us how to be safe and avoid danger in the workplace.  And if you’re looking for the best products to make this happen – look no further than Mighty Line!

Mighty Line Floor Signs / Floor Markings offer the best industrial products out there!

Go to MightyLineTape.com/SafetyTips to request a Sample Pack of their incredible Safety Signs and Floor Markings.

What Makes Mighty Line the Superior Choice in Keeping Your Facility Safe and Productive?

  • Mighty Line Tape is the strongest floor tape on the market, and has a beveled edge that increases durability for industrial brush scrubbers, forklifts, and heavy industrial wheel traffic.

  • Easy installation and removal thanks to Mighty Line’s peel and stick backing. You can apply and reapply it during installation – and it leaves no sticky residue should you need to remove it. This gives you the ability to change workflow areas quickly and easily, without the associated downtime of painting, or using floor markings that leave behind a mess when you remove them.

  • Mighty Line Tape is 7 times thicker than the average Safety Floor Tape!

  • Mighty Line’s Signs and Marking come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. If they don’t have what you’re looking for in stock – their Customize It Program allows you to create exactly what you’re looking for.

  • Mighty Line offers a Limited 3-Year Warranty on their Floor Signs and Markings.

  • And last but certainly not least – Mighty Line Products are Patented and PROUDLY Made in the USA!

 

Again – Go to MightyLineTape.com/SafetyTips to request a Sample Pack of their incredible Safety Signs and Floor Markings.

 

 

« Back to Blog

BACK TO TOP