Operating a forklift fleet is already an expensive proposition, and injuries on the job or citations from OSHA only compound costs. With the litany of regulations to follow, it is easy to fall behind, and it takes only a few seconds for things to go wrong...sometimes terribly wrong.

We have trained thousands of operators and visited hundreds of facilities. During our facility visits, we observe plenty of hazards and violations. The following is our "Top Five" list of most-seen violations or safety hazards:

1. Lifting, lowering, and driving with an elevated load - Visit OSHA's Forklift eTool section on Mast Placement to see requirements and regulations for moving the mast.
2. Neglected pre-shift inspections - Click HERE to see what OSHA requires and recommends regarding how to inspect and what to do if you find a problem. Avoid costly injuries, product loss, and lawsuits by knowing and abiding by the regulation.
3. Refresher training not completed every three years - There are many safety hazards that we could mention on this list, but ignored training seems to appear most often...at a high cost if OSHA visits you. Read about the required refresher training HERE on OSHA's eTool. 
4. Operating too fast for conditions - While OSHA does not set specific speeds for forklift operation, it does recommend "safe" speeds. Read OSHA's recommendations and requirements on speed and maneuvering HERE. We have witnessed plenty of instances where forklifts were operated at speeds too high for facility conditions. Be sure to create and enforce standards among operators.
5. Not securing trailers or using wheel chocks before entering a semi-trailer - We all operate at fast speed and often have a lot to do, but we also have seen the internet videos of what happens when a trailer pulls away and the driver believes that his trailer is loaded or unloaded. Learn what OSHA says about railroad cars and trailers by clicking HERE.