8 Forklift Hazards Every Driver Should Know
Operating a forklift is no easy job. There is a reason why Australia enforces strict high-risk licences for specialised machinery, and it’s not because the process is overly bureaucratic. The statistics associated with forklift driving say enough about the job's dangers. In fact, according to the NSW Safety Report, there were 1,538 severe forklift incidents reported in New South Wales between 2017 and 2022.
The leading cause of accidents with forklifts commonly occurs from rollovers or overturns, with various hazards causing such an occurrence. This is not only likely to damage the forklift, but can also put the operator and anyone around it in grave danger. Read on to learn about the 8 most easily avoided hazards every forklift driver should be aware of.
1. Unsafe speeds and reckless operation
A forklift is not a vehicle to operate carelessly. Taking corners too sharply, speeding or driving in crowded and confined spaces can lead to rollovers, potentially crushing the driver or people around them.
2. Driving surfaces
Forklifts, like any vehicle, need safe driving surfaces. Depending on your industry, a forklift can be used for the transportation of heavy and large loads around a work site, in a dock, from a truck to a dock, from one overhead storage unit to another and more. Travelling across these varying surfaces can collect debris or create potholes, both of which could cause toppling. Or, if the weather is bad, it could bring in puddles that cause the forklift to slide and skid.
3. Improper load handling
Make sure you know the maximum weight limit on your forklift. All manufacturers set a weight rating on their machinery, and these should be used as a guide for safe loading. Overloading can imbalance the stability of the vehicle and increase the likelihood of it tipping. Additionally, unstable or poorly secured loads can be a major hazard to the driver and workers in the vicinity, no matter if they are in transit or stacked on shelves.
4. Pedestrians
In most cases, it’s not just the driver who must be careful, but also pedestrians. Anyone on foot who could be within the vicinity of the moving forklift should be accounted for, especially when vision is obstructed by large loads. Accidental collisions with pedestrians can be fatal, so it is important to have clearly marked pathways, an up-to-date traffic management plan, and emergency plans in place.
5. Inadequate training or licenses
In NSW, it is essential to have a high-risk work licence with relevant classes to operate a forklift. Not only does it help supply the relevant training and educate the driver on the vehicle’s capabilities and limitations, but it also protects the driver against legal disputes if an accident were to occur.
6. Maintenance and Refuelling
Maintaining your forklift is a crucial part of staying safe. Regular checkups and servicing prevent malfunctions that could leave the driver and the vehicle in dangerous situations. All Lift Forklifts employ qualified forklift servicing mechanics to send out for swift onsite inspections and repairs. Keeping your machinery functioning safely is essential to us as much as it is for you.
In addition to maintenance, forklift drivers should also be mindful of the practices of refuelling or recharging forklift batteries. The risks of fires or combustion should be considered. A driver can reduce this by ensuring the environment is safe and free of potential sparks.
7. Blind Spots
Driving with low visibility can be dangerous, especially when the loads transported by forklifts block the driver’s vision in front of and around their path. It is a major hazard that can lead to unexpected collisions. As the driver, there is only so much you can do alongside your traffic management plan. However, you can make sure that factors like lighting and weather conditions are good and supervisors are communicating clearly with you to minimise incidents.
8. Overhead Obstructions
Overhead obstructions include anything low-lying that could block the carriage of tall or raised loads. Low ceilings, doorways, beams, and mezzanine levels are just a few examples of hazards that could cause collisions.
Protect Your Workplace
There are many safety protocols you can put in place to protect your workplace from forklift accidents. As a licensed driver, you should always designate clear paths for forklifts free from obstructions, people and unsafe driving surfaces. Always keep loads secure, operate the vehicle as you are licensed to, and put in place a traffic management plan to reduce the hazards and potential for severe accidents. If, however, your workplace doesn’t have a licensed forklift operator available, All Lift Forklifts are prepared with skilled professional forklift drivers, all highly trained and licensed to use any of our entire fleet of machinery.
Keep your workplace safe and mitigate the risks associated with forklifts by enforcing safe forklift driving plans.