Forklift essential program
A forklift safety program ensures that operators are trained and evaluated to safely operate powered industrial trucks. It requires employers to provide classroom instruction, hands-on training, and workplace evaluations. The goal is to prevent accidents and injuries related to forklift operations.
Basic requirements
Training and performance evaluation: Provide classroom instruction, equipment-specific training, and performance evaluations before operators can use equipment.
Certification: Document that each operator has been trained and evaluated, including the operator’s name, trainer’s name, and training and evaluation dates.
Refresher training: Conduct refresher training when operators are observed operating unsafely, after an accident or near-miss, when assigned to a different type of forklift, or when workplace conditions change.
Daily inspection checklist: Conduct a daily pre-operation inspection of forklifts, checking brakes, lights, horn, steering, mast, overhead guard, tires, and fluid levels.
Use of seatbelts: Ensure operators use seatbelts and other restraint systems provided by the
manufacturer.
Record keeping: Maintain records of all training, certifications, and inspections. Ensure
documentation is up-to-date and accessible.
Best practices
Pedestrian safety: Establish clear pathways for pedestrians and forklifts. Use barriers and signage to separate traffic.
Resources:
Employee forklift performance evaluation checklist
One page Word document with a performance observation checklist that can be customized for your business.
OSHA forklift safe forklift operation quick card
PDF - printable 5” x 11” card with a list of ways to prevent injury from osha.gov.
Oregon OSHA forklift training
This overview page from Oregon OSHA contains information on forklift training along with other powered industrial trucks in both English and Spanish.
Oregon OSHA forklift safety fact sheet
This printable three-page document contains a description of training requirements and trainer qualifications. It also describes best practices, forklift stability principles, and guidelines for operating a forklift safely.
Forklift safety video
SAIF provides this 22-minute video that fulfills a portion of the forklift training required by Oregon OSHA and includes the latest safety standards and best practices.