Forklift Safety

Legislation

Do the forklifts meet the established design and construction requirements

YES
NO
N/A

?Has the forklift been modified

YES
NO
N/A

Was written approval obtained from the truck manufacturer for any modifications or additions that affect the capacity and safe operation of the vehicle

YES
NO
N/A

Capacity, operation and maintenance instruction plates, tags or decals are changed to specify any modifications or additions to the vehicle

YES
NO
N/A

Are all nameplates and markings in place and in a legible condition

YES
NO
N/A

Are forklifts that are used in hazardous locations appropriately marked/approved for such usage

YES
NO
N/A

Batteries

?Are batteries being charged only in designated areas

YES
NO
N/A

Are appropriate facilities provided for flushing and neutralizing spilled electrolytes

YES
NO
N/A

?Are appropriate arrangements made for fire extinguishing

YES
NO
N/A

Are appropriate arrangements made for protecting charging apparatus from damage by trucks

YES
NO
N/A

Is there access to adequate ventilation to disperse fumes from gassing batteries

YES
NO
N/A

Are conveyors, overhead hoists or other materials handling equipment provided for handling batteries

YES
NO
N/A

?Are reinstalled batteries properly positioned and secured

YES
NO
N/A

?Are siphons or carboy tilters used for handling electrolytes

YES
NO
N/A

Are forklifts are properly positioned and brakes applied before workers start to change or charge batteries

YES
NO
N/A

?Are the vent caps fully functional

YES
NO
N/A

Are precautions taken to avoid smoking, any open flames, sparks or electric arcs in battery charging areas and during storage/changing of propane fuel tanks

YES
NO
N/A

Are tools and other metallic objects kept away from the top of uncovered/open batteries

YES
NO
N/A

Are the concentrations of noxious gases and fumes monitored to be below acceptable levels

YES
NO
N/A

Training

Have forklift operators been trained and evaluated by certified persons with the knowledge, training and experience to train operators and evaluate their performance

YES
NO
N/A

Have forklift operators successfully completed training and evaluation

YES
NO
N/A

?Are forklift operators competent to operate a vehicle safely

YES
NO
N/A

Did the training program include all truck-related, workplace-related topics and the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.178 for safe truck operation

YES
NO
N/A

Is refresher training provided whenever an operator was observed operating the vehicle in an unsafe manner or has been involved in an accident or a near-miss incident

YES
NO
N/A

Is refresher training and evaluation conducted whenever an operator is assigned to drive a different type of truck or whenever a condition in the workplace changes in a manner that could affect safe operation of the truck

YES
NO
N/A

Is the performance of every operator evaluated at least once every three years

YES
NO
N/A

Safe Practices

When a forklift is left unattended, are load engaging means are fully lowered, with controls neutralized, power shut off and brakes set

YES
NO
N/A

Are operators maintaining a safe distance from the edge of ramps or platforms while using forklifts on any elevated dock, platform or freight car

YES
NO
N/A

Is there sufficient headroom for the forklift and operator under overhead installations, lights, pipes, sprinkler systems, etc

YES
NO
N/A

Are overhead guards provided and in good condition to protect forklift operators from falling objects

YES
NO
N/A

Do operators observe all traffic regulations, including authorized plant speed limits

YES
NO
N/A

Are drivers required to look in the direction of and keep a clear view of the path of travel

YES
NO
N/A

Are dock boards (bridge plates) are properly secured when loading or unloading from dock to truck

YES
NO
N/A

? Are there clear signs promoting safe driving

YES
NO
N/A

Are all loads stable, safely arranged and fall within the rated capacity of the truck

YES
NO
N/A

?Do operators turn off the engine before filling the fuel tanks

YES
NO
N/A

Are replacement parts of trucks of the same quality and safety as those used in the original design

YES
NO
N/A

Are all forklifts examined for safety before being placed into service

YES
NO
N/A

?Are all unsafe or defective forklifts removed from service

YES
NO
N/A