Truck-Mounted Forklift Safety: OSHA Standards & Inspection

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has safety standards in place to protect workers who use forklifts -- what OSHA calls powered industrial trucks. A truck-mounted forklift contains safety hazards workers must be privy to or else they risk exposing themselves to injury.

Inspection

• The first thing a worker must do before operating a truck-mounted forklift is inspect it. The controls should be tested and the machinery should be visually inspected to look for any cracks, tears or evidence of severe wear that could endanger the operator. OSHA advises to never proceed using a defective forklift.

Balance

• Maintaining the balance of a truck-mounted forklift is imperative to prevent tipping. Tipping accidents can cause major injuries to the operator. Accordingly, operators must be aware of the balance of the forklift. For instance, lifting a weight that is more than the recommended capacity will throw the forklift off balance.

General Safety

• Safe driving practices are required for truck-mounted forklifts. Operators should not drive the vehicle at high speeds, they should slow down in environments that are wet or slippery, and drivers must always have a clear view of the path in the direction that they are driving.