20 Warehouse Forklift Safety Tips

Knowing the basics of forklift safety in the warehouse can prevent injury and more!

Making your warehouse safe is crucial if you want to fully optimize your operations. Keeping safety in mind provides a safe work environment for everyone! Accidents can harm your business bottom line as well as damage your company’s reputation, and even injure someone.

Employees and visitors to your warehouse want to leave unharmed.

Make sure everyone knows these forklift safety tips:

1. Your forklift operator must be trained and authorized to operate a forklift.
2. Forklifts should always be inspected before operating.
3. Don’t assume the forklift operator sees you.
4. The forklift operator should always wear their seat belt, if available while operating the lift.
5. Ensure the area is well lit and the area is clear.
6. No one should be allowed on any part of the forklift while it is being operated.
7. Plan for proper and timely forklift maintenance.
8. Never allow anyone to stand or walk under the elevated portion of a forklift.
9. Provide forklift awareness training for pedestrians. It is an important step in making people aware of the hazards and reinforcing the risks involved when near a forklift.
10. Do not travel on the lift with the load above a safe transport height.
11. Do not lift anyone without the proper platform and according to national regulations.
12. Do not exceed the truck lift capacity.
13. When your view is obstructed, drive in the opposite direction.
14. Operators should remove the key from the ignition/log off when leaving the forklift.
15. Create designated walkways or travel ways to separate pedestrian and forklift traffic.
16. Restrict people from entering areas where the forklift is operating.
17. Avoid driving forklift near areas where pedestrian traffic is high.
18. Sound the forklift horn at intersections, crosswalks and when existing an aisle.
19. Pedestrians should always let the driver know they are in the area. Attempt to make eye contact with the driver to ensure they have seen you.
20. Forklift operators and anyone in the area should be prepared for the unexpected.

You might also be interested in this forklift information:

Common forklift questions
8 benefits of buying a used forklift
The most common types of forklifts and what they are used for