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A forklift is a versatile machine that helps to move, raise, and lower heavy materials, but it’s essential to operate it properly. If you’re interested in being a commercial truck driver, you’ll often have to use a forklift to put cargo in your truck. At Mike’s Driving School in Clayton, New Jersey, we offer commercial driver’s license (CDL) training courses with forklift preparation. Here, we discuss the risks of improperly operating a forklift.

How Do You Properly Operate a Forklift?

Workers in many different industries use forklifts, and they need to complete training to learn how to use them correctly. Workers must complete a forklift training program and pass a certification exam given by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to prove they know how to properly operate a forklift. Some rules that forklift operators must follow to use them correctly include:

• Properly examine the forklift before it is used and don’t use it if any parts are malfunctioning.
• Adjust the mirrors, seat, and controls to fit the operator before starting the forklift.
• Fasten the seatbelt and wear the required protective gear.
• Follow all site rules.
• Be aware of your surroundings, including lumps, bumps, slippery ground, and uneven surfaces.
• Decrease speed when approaching corners and doorways.
• Use the horn to warn pedestrians of your approach.
• Stay a safe distance from other operators and vehicles.
• Properly stack, balance, and secure the loads.
• Do not overload the forklift or exceed the maximum capacity.
• Maintain good visibility.
• Return the forklift to the designated area and park it safely.

These are some of the topics covered in forklift training programs that help operators learn how to use them safely and effectively.

What Are the Risks of Improperly Operating a Forklift?

If a forklift operator doesn’t follow the rules and regulations they’ve learned in training, it can be very risky and lead to hazardous workplace conditions. Some risks of improper forklift operation include:

Accidents and Injuries

If a forklift is operated improperly, one of the major risks is accidents and injuries, either to the operator or to pedestrians. If a forklift is loaded too heavy or is driven on slippery or bumpy surfaces, it can tip over and pin the operator under the forklift, causing severe injuries. If an operator is not paying attention to their surroundings or speeding, they can strike pedestrians or other workers, injuring them. If a load is not properly attached, it may fall off and injure or crush the operator or other workers.

Property Damage

Another risk of improperly operating a forklift is property damage to the machine and to the facility it’s used in. If a forklift is involved in an accident, it can damage the load, the surroundings, and the machine itself. For example, if a load is improperly attached and falls off, it can break the pallets and cargo. If a forklift collides with other materials, a wall, or a stationary object, it can lead to damaged inventory or equipment that is crucial for your business.

Loss of Revenue

Loss of revenue is another risk of improper forklift operation and forklift accidents. This is because:

• Equipment and machinery may be damaged and need costly repairs.
• Workers can be injured and unable to work, leading to a loss in productivity.
• Legal fees and OSHA fines may need to be paid after forklift accidents.

Now that you’re familiar with the risks of improper forklift operation, it’s even more crucial to ensure your employees are fully trained and certified in forklift operation.

Learn Proper Forklift Operation at Mike’s Driving School

To learn how to properly operate a forklift, trust the instructors at Mike’s Driving School in Clayton, NJ. We offer an Advanced Class A CDL with Forklift Course, an Advanced Class B CDL Straight Truck with Forklift Course, and a Forklift OSHA Certification Course. Students will learn about the OSHA rules and regulations for properly operating a forklift and upon completion of the course and OSHA exam, will receive an OSHA-approved certificate and a wallet card. To learn more about our forklift or CDL programs, contact Mike’s Driving School today.