Forklifts are an invaluable piece of heavy machinery in many industries. Forklift accidents account for a very small percentage of warehouse or factory accidents; however, these accidents tend to be more severe. Forklift accidents that result in serious injury total more than 34,000 each year in the United States, according to OSHA statistics; 70% of those accidents could have been avoided if employers had placed a greater emphasis on forklift operator training.

What should be covered in forklift operator training?

Training employees on the proper operation, maintenance and safety measures of a forklift is the best way to prevent injury. While operating a forklift may seem simple, there are many ways that workplace safety can be compromised by workers who are not trained. This is why only those who have undergone forklift operator training should be allowed to operate a forklift. 

There are many topics that a forklift operator training course can cover. According to OSHA, these are the 5 topics that are crucial to any training program:

1. Pre-use inspection — A forklift should be inspected before each use. Workers should be able to know what to look for during these inspections and identify potential hazards or maintenance needs.

2. Identifying types of forklifts — Workers need to be able to identify what types of forklifts are suitable for each situation. Hazardous locations may require the use of different forklift equipment.

3. Basic controls and safety — The basic controls used when operating a forklift should be covered. This includes parking, picking up, traveling with and placing a load with a forklift. Workers should also be instructed in best practices during operation to ensure safety.

4. Preventing rollovers — Rollovers are the cause of 25% of all forklift-related injuries, according to OSHA. Knowledge of a forklift’s center of gravity and stability triangle are key to preventing rollovers.

5. Pedestrian safety — Pedestrian safety while operating a forklift is the responsibility of everyone. Keeping work areas clear, being aware of surroundings and other safety measures will help to ensure workplace safety.

Where can I go for OSHA-compliant forklift operator training?

Basin Safety has you covered for all your forklift and other heavy equipment training needs. We offer training programs for dozens of workplace safety topics. Our programs are compliant with all federal and local regulations, and we will work on-site directly with your employees.

Our team at Basin Safety works tirelessly to build better safety programs and solutions. We work across many industries across the country to make this goal a reality. Contact us today for more information on our workplace training programs.