Preventing Injuries and Deaths of Workers Who Operate or Work Near Forklifts

Reducing the risk of forklift incidents requires a safe work environment, a safe forklift, comprehensive worker training, safe work practices, and systematic traffic management.

NIOSH recommends that employers and workers comply with OSHA regulations and consensus standards, maintain equipment, and take the following measures to prevent injury when operating or working near forklifts. More...

Powered Industrial Trucks

Each year, tens of thousands of injuries related to powered industrial trucks (PIT), or forklifts, occur in US workplaces. Many employees are injured when lift trucks are inadvertently driven off loading docks, lifts fall between docks and an unsecured trailer, they are struck by a lift truck, or when they fall while on elevated pallets and tines.

Preventing Forklift Fatalities in Teens

The Fair Labor Standards Act, (the primary law governing the employment of youth under age 18), prohibits workers under the age of 18 from using forklifts and similar equipment in nonagricultural industries, (Hazardous Order No. 7 - Power-Driven Hoisting Apparatus Occupations). In agricultural industries, minors under age 16 are prohibited from using forklifts. For more information about forklifts.

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Forklift/Powered Industrial Truck Safety Training Courses