Biggest Forklift Danger in the Workplace? Ignorance

There are a lot of things that can go wrong when operating a forklift. Heavy machinery that has a lot of moving parts and can drive at high speeds while lifting thousands of pounds high overhead are inherently dangerous.

But perhaps the biggest danger involving forklifts in the workplace is ignorance. When people are working on or around forklifts and don’t know what they are doing or the potential for danger in working with heavy machinery, it can be a recipe for disaster.

Overcoming Ignorance

The best way to defeat ignorance is through education. Training workers to be aware of the dangers of working on or near forklifts is essential to creating a safe workplace.

While some managers would say there is no such thing as too much training, others would balance the practical side of getting workers back on the job rather spending too much time in the classroom.

Successful businesses balance training and the practical application of those skills in the workplace. Some training is better than none, which is what far too many businesses that work with forklifts provide for their workers.

Testing and Certifying Forklift Driver Abilities

Federal regulations state that it is the responsibility of the employer to determine that its operators are qualified to operate a forklift. Many warehouses, docks, and other operations that use forklifts will put their drivers through an extensive training and certification process every couple of years.

Being able to provide detailed records and proof that you provided comprehensive forklift driving and safety training is the best defenses a business can have in the event of a lawsuit involving a forklift accident.

Trust, But Verify

Some companies will provide little or no training, or take new employees at their word that they can safely operate a forklift — either because they are in a hurry to get the new driver on the job due to high business demands or because they are naturally trusting of new employees to tell the truth about their backgrounds, including their forklift training and experience.

In the real world, however, businesses need forklift driver job applicants to provide proof of their qualifications, including any documented certifications they might have. The hiring party then needs to follow up with the business that provided the past training.

It’s fine to be trusting of people. But from a legal perspective, it’s better to have verifiable proof that operators are qualified to drive a forklift safely. Even then, it’s a good idea to follow up with your own training, testing, and certification once the driver gets on the job.