Important forklift safety tips

Over time warehouses have become one of the most important types of commercial buildings. However, they can be surprisingly dangerous. There can be a variety of hazards for people on foot, forklift drivers, and more. It is vital that operators do a risk assessment and put measures in place to protect everyone. Solutions like column & corner protection can be very useful too.

Forklifts can often be the biggest danger in warehouses. We want to have a closer look at some safety tips for drivers. They can ensure workplaces are safer.

Training

Forklifts should only ever be operated by responsible people. Employers have a legal obligation to make sure forklift drivers have the right training and qualifications. They should know how to operate the vehicles safely while also prioritising the wellbeing of people on foot in the building.

Surroundings

All forklift drivers should ensure they are familiar with the warehouse. It is wise to spend time on foot so they can check the layout of the property. They should note the designated paths they should take, taking specific care in any locations where there may be people.

It is especially important here to check the ground conditions. Lumps and bumps can be major hazards. Slippery surfaces are very dangerous too. Plus, there may be uneven surfaces such as ramps.

In addition, they should check for things like columns, doorways, low ceilings, and loading bays. If there is a risk of a collision, it is a good idea to use guards or column & corner protection.

Visibility

A major hazard with warehouses is they can limit visibility. It can be impossible to see around tall stacks full of products. Forklift drivers need to keep this in mind. They should drive carefully and use the horn to tell people on foot they are nearby. More crucially, they should ensure that they can see where they are going, especially when carrying a load. It may even be necessary to have a lookout to help the driver.

Ramps

Driving on ramps is far more hazardous than moving on flat ground. Forklift drivers will need to adapt how they drive when there is a ramp. For example, they will need to stay away from edges. They should keep moving in the direction they are travelling at all times; turning on a ramp is very dangerous.

Do you want column & corner protection?

Barrier Mart knows how vital it is to protect people, buildings, and infrastructure. We offer a number of great products to help with this. They include barriers, bollards, and much more. We also have traffic controls like speed bumps.

If you want column & corner protection in particular, we can help. Our plastic space saver range is great for columns in warehouses and other settings.