Avoiding accidents

Working with a forklift requires constant attention to the hazards in front, above and around the area of operation. Despite one's best intentions there is always a possibility for accidents to occur. Forklift operators should take precautions to minimize accident potential. They should verify that the charge on the forklift is adequate to the task (at least 1/2 full for normal loads and 3/4 full for heavy loads), they should survey the travel route before making a lift to familiarize themselves with any potential obstacles, they should warn people in the area that forklift operations are underway, they should arrange for a spotter if there is any potential obstacle that could have serious consequences if hit by the forklift, or blind spots along the way. If their vision is impaired due to the size of the load, a spotter is essential for safe completion of the lift or the forklift must be driven backwards to ensure a clear line of sight. Most of all the driver must be on the look-out for any behavior that could jeopardize the operation such as exceeding the load center or the forklift maximum weight.