Powered Industrial Trucks - Forklifts

Mastered forklift trucks run on diesel, support up to 15.5 tons, and can reach up to 13 feet. Manitou, Linde, and Clark are well-known for their trucks. Truck-mounted forklifts usually run on diesel, handle up to 5.5 tons, and reach up to about 11 feet. What are some typical telehandlers? If you have to move heavy pallets of equipment when you are outdoors, a rough terrain forklift is a helpful vehicle that can lift and move materials easily. At an outdoor nursery, a rough terrain forklift can quickly move a pallet of plants or a stack of bagged cedar mulch across the yard or at a construction site. All forklift types require the same driving checklist. Do this while the forklift is on. Make sure your steering, accelerator, and brakes work; Check that your gears work (forward and reverse) Make sure the lift works (tilt and hoist) Check that the horn, lights, and backup alarm work; Creating A Forklift Maintenance Plan.

Overview

• Protect Workers Operating and Working Near Forklifts. OSHA Alert (Publication 3973), (2019).
• Safe Forklift Operation. OSHA QuickCard™ (Publication 3949), (2019).
• Sample Daily Checklists for Powered Industrial Trucks. Prepared by OSHA and the Industrial Trucking Association (ITA) Alliance. OSHA notes that this checklist and related graphics were developed in cooperation with the ITA as part of the OSHA-ITA Alliance.
• Sample Daily Checklists for Powered Industrial Trucks. Prepared by the UAW-Ford National Joint Committee on Health and Safety. OSHA thanks the UAW-Ford National Joint Committee on Health and Safety for granting permission to use the checklists and related graphics.
• Protecting Young Workers: Prohibition Against Young Workers Operating Forklifts. OSHA Safety and Health Information Bulletin (SHIB), (September 30, 2003). Informs employers that youth employment regulations (29 CFR 570) promulgated under the Fair Labor Standards Act prohibit most employees under the age of 18 years from operating forklifts for non-agricultural operations and reminds employers that all forklift operators must be trained and certified.

Forklifts used on a round-the-clock basis must be examined after each shift. 29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7) The operator should conduct a pre-start visual check with the key off and then perform an operational check with the engine running. Forklift Operator Training Indepth program on the safe operation of forklifts. 46 slides: Forklift Safety Driving a forklift is a serious responsibility. It is generally more difficult than driving a car. 22 slides: Forklift Safety Forklift tips over because the rated load capacity is exceeded, or the load is handled improperly.

• Powered Industrial Trucks (Forklift). OSHA eTool. Provides information on OSHA's Powered Industrial Truck requirements [29 CFR 1910.178] and industry best practices.

What are powered industrial trucks?

Powered industrial trucks, commonly called forklifts or lift trucks, are used in many industries, primarily to move materials. They can also be used to raise, lower, or remove large objects or a number of smaller objects on pallets or in boxes, crates, or other containers. Powered industrial trucks can either be ridden by the operator or controlled by a walking operator. Over-the-road haulage trucks and earth-moving equipment that has been modified to accept forks are not considered powered industrial trucks.

What are the hazards associated with operating powered industrial trucks?

There are many types of powered industrial trucks. Each type presents different operating hazards. For example, a sit-down, counterbalanced high-lift rider truck is more likely than a motorized hand truck to be involved in a falling load accident because the sit-down rider truck can lift a load much higher than a hand truck. Workplace type and conditions are also factors in hazards commonly associated with powered industrial trucks. For example, retail establishments often face greater challenges than other worksites in maintaining pedestrian safety. Beyond that, many workers can also be injured when (1) lift trucks are inadvertently driven off loading docks; (2) lifts fall between docks and an unsecured trailer; (3) they are struck by a lift truck; or (4) they fall while on elevated pallets and tines.

It is a violation of Federal law for anyone UNDER 18 years of age to operate a forklift or for anyone OVER 18 years of age who is not properly trained and certified to do so. Download the Sticker.

What can be done to reduce the hazards related to powered industrial trucks?

Forklift Auctions

Determining the best way to protect workers from injury largely depends on the type of truck operated and the worksite where it is being used. Employers must ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in 29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1).

Standards

Forklift On Forklift Photo

Powered industrial trucks are addressed in specific OSHA standards for general industry and maritime.

Hazards and Solutions

Forklift Forklift Price

Provides references that may aid in recognizing hazards associated with powered industrial trucks and provides examples of possible solutions.

Additional Resources

Forklift On Forklift

Provides links and references to additional resources related to powered industrial trucks.

• Protect Workers Operating and Working Near Forklifts. OSHA Alert (Publication 3973), (2019).
• Safe Forklift Operation. OSHA QuickCard™ (Publication 3949), (2019).
• Sample Daily Checklists for Powered Industrial Trucks. Prepared by OSHA and the Industrial Trucking Association (ITA) Alliance. OSHA notes that this checklist and related graphics were developed in cooperation with the ITA as part of the OSHA-ITA Alliance.
• Sample Daily Checklists for Powered Industrial Trucks. Prepared by the UAW-Ford National Joint Committee on Health and Safety. OSHA thanks the UAW-Ford National Joint Committee on Health and Safety for granting permission to use the checklists and related graphics.
• Protecting Young Workers: Prohibition Against Young Workers Operating Forklifts. OSHA Safety and Health Information Bulletin (SHIB), (September 30, 2003). Informs employers that youth employment regulations (29 CFR 570) promulgated under the Fair Labor Standards Act prohibit most employees under the age of 18 years from operating forklifts for non-agricultural operations and reminds employers that all forklift operators must be trained and certified.

Forklift Forklift Battery

• Powered Industrial Trucks (Forklift). OSHA eTool. Provides information on OSHA's Powered Industrial Truck requirements [29 CFR 1910.178] and industry best practices.