When it comes to the industrial workplace there is nothing more important than safety. With so much heavy machinery and manual labor involved in the job description there is the increased possibility of causing yourself or those who work with you serious bodily harm. As such the forklift operators role is an incredibly important one that comes with a huge range of responsibility and tight deadlines.

Because of the heavy workload of most forklift operators, at times you may feel under the pump and placed in a stressful situation. It is in these times that an operator is most likely to make a mistake, especially if the forklift driver is new to the job and lacking in on the job experience.

The important question is ‘how do I keep my cool in this situation’?

Well the best way is to have a mental checklist prepared that you can call on in any situation that will help you address the specific situation you are involved in. This is where forklift training comes in. During these classes you need to learn to make it a habit to read and implement all necessary safety checks. We’ve written the following ten step safety checklist for you to better understand the risks associated with forklift driving. Feel free to use this information in any way you see fit – at the end of the day it may even help you land that forklift job you’ve been looking for.

10 Point Forklift Safety Checklist

Number 1: Always be aware of of where you place your hands, feet and limbs while operating a forklift truck. You need to be especially aware of the pinch points such as wheels and gears.

Number 2: Keep hands feet and limbs well within the cabin at all times while the forklift is in operation. Try and develop the habit of staying underneath the overhead guard.

Number 3: If you happen to maneuver the forklift into a position where it is set to tip over – DO NOT JUMP. For your own safety’s sake it is better that you stay in your seat, brace the wheel securely and support your entire balance through your feet.

Number 4: Always be on the lookout. Look, look and look again is the motto that needs to be imprinted on your brain. You will always need to be on the lookout for other employees whilst operating your forklift. There are always new recruits, visitors and temporary staff on the factory floor who may not be experienced around the use of heavy machinery. Always check your blind spot to ensure you don’t injure anybody.

Number 5: NEVER stand on, walk around or linger around raised forks.

Number 6: Unless your forklift model is designed for more than one person, never allow anybody else to ride in the cockpit of the machine with you. Also, forklifts are not personal elevators, unless they are equipped with the appropriate basket attachment absolutely no one should ride on the forks.

Number 7: Do not ever let an unauthorized person operate your machine – this applies even if they claim to know how to operate one. Training and certification exist for a reason, safety of both yourself and every body else within the factory.

Number 8: Always use your horn at a factory floor intersection or when backing up to mover through doors. It is a great habit to use your horn when you have blocked or limited vision.

Number 9: Always perform your preignition safety routine prior to using your forklift on a daily basis.

Number 10: Keep in mind that it is YOU who are in control of the forklift, nobody else. Make sure you always pay extra attention whilst on the job.

As one final piece of advice as you embark on your forklift operator career – always always always remember that safety first is the best motto that any forklift driver can follow.