Conducting 3 Key Forklift Safety Procedures on Powered Industrial Trucks

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released on December 16, 2021 the National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries  report for 2020. The release states that there were over 4,764 fatal work injuries recorded in the U.S. 2020, a 10.7-percent decrease from 5,333 in 2019. The release states that workers in transportation and material moving, and construction and extraction make up 47.4% of all fatal occupational injuries. Transportation and material moving account for 1,282 workplace deaths.

Although the rate of work injuries decreased, it certainly doesn’t mean that the problem of forklift safety has gone away. Forklift safety procedures are still essential to decrease the rate of injuries and fatalities. However, the digital transformation from paper-based forklift inspections to digital will certainly ensure that forklift safety procedures were followed with additional accuracy.

#1: Digital Sign-In

It is the forklift operators dream to walk into the facility one minute before starting time, hop on the forklift and begin the day’s quota. Yes, that is a dream. By digitizing the forklift safety procedure, it ensures the safety of the operator and the reliability of the forklift.

But you want to be sure who is on which forklift. The best way for that to occur is to have the forklift operator digitally sign in. This can be accomplished by scanning their work badge or entering in an employee PIN number. Either way will work, so if they forgot their badge, enter in the PIN.

Now you know what time the driver begins and ends their shift. It helps to pinpoint any questions, issues or incidents so you can take corrective action in order to ensure security in the workplace.

#2: Forklift Inspection Randomized

Here’s the next dream of the forklift operator. ‘I know the order of the questions, so I can answer it fast’. It’s the old pencil whipping scenario. Digital transformation, especially with the SIERA.AI’s S2, you can randomize the questions, randomize the answers or randomize both! Now the forklift operation needs to read.

Of course there are all the standard questions that need to be asked such as visual inspection, fluid levels, tires and overhead guard to name a few. But let’s also remember that facilities have a variety of material handling equipment. It’s not all the same forklift. Let’s take a look at the forklift categories supplied by NIOSH.

#3: Questions to Ask that are Forklift Specific

Electric Forklifts:

Are cables and connected frayed or any exposed wires?
Does the battery show signs of corrosion? Are the battery restraints fastened?
Was the hood latch inspected?
Be sure to wear PPE. Did you check the electrolyte levels?
Class 3 (walkie type trucks): Did you test the emergency reverse?
Class 2 (reach trucks and order pickers): Did you test the emergency stop? Was the mast guard in place? (windshield or screen)

Internal Combustion Forklifts (gas or diesel):

Was the engine oil checked?
Did you check the transmission fluid?
Was there brake fluid in the reservoir?
Were the engine coolant levels full?
Was the air filter indicator inspected? Only remove it if you have been trained.
Were there any leaks or cracks in the belts and hoses?
Did you inspect the radiator for cracks?
Did you inspect the hood latch?
Was the fuel sedimenter (diesel) in good working order?

LPG Forklifts:

Forklift Safety Procedures

Now you have the 3 key forklift safety procedures for your facility, you’re ready to begin 2022 with a digital approach to forklift safety that will help drive down the numbers even more.

Contact us to try out the SIERA.AI S2 Digital Inspection with Impact Monitoring.