---
title: Your Forklift Safety Checklist | Equipment Depot
description: Ensure the safety of your staff and equipment with this brief safety checklist.
image: https://blog.eqdepot.com/hubfs/BLOG%20Files%201/Blog%20-%20Post%20image%20options/forklift-safety.jpg
---
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# Your Forklift Safety Checklist
December 21, 2017 | [Forklifts](https://blog.eqdepot.com/topic/forklifts), [Safety & Training](https://blog.eqdepot.com/topic/safety-training)
We know your warehouse and distribution center is busier than ever. This usually creates additional stress on your operations team and your equipment, making forklift safety extremely important. Take a look at our forklift safety checklist as a good starting point to ensure a smoother and safer operation. These five forklift safety tips will benefit both your forklift equipment and operators.
### **1. Train for Safety**
Keeping your team safe begins with proper training. [OSHA’s standard on powered industrial trucks](https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_id=9828&p_table=standards) requires training programs to include components of formal instruction, practical training, and a workplace performance evaluation.
Remember these details:
- Forklifts vary, even among forklifts of the same class and manufacturer
- Evaluate an operator’s skills based on equipment and conditions within the work environment
- Re-train every three years to emphasize safe practices
### **2. Wear Appropriate Clothing**
Let’s review the ideal clothes to wear while driving or operating a forklift. This applies to truck loaders, warehouse workers, dockyard hands, and all other forklift jobs.
- Operators should wear appropriate safety work wear like hard hats, safety shoes, and high-visibility jackets
- Work wear and uniforms must fit well. Loose clothing can get caught on machinery!
- Greasy hands could slide off the controls and cause an accident. Remind team members to check their hands often
### **3. Inspect the Equipment**
Does your team always inspect the equipment? It is important to check the equipment every day before using it to identify any problems.
- Daily checks for any faults with brakes, steering, controls, warning devices, mast and tires should be completed by each operator.
- Notify management of any issues. The forklift should not be operated if there are damages or problems that need repair.
- Qualified technicians should only perform repairs and maintenance.
### **4. Familiarize Your Team with Starting and Stopping the Forklift**
Your team should use the steps and hand grabs to seat themselves correctly in the forklift. Once inside:
- Ensure all the equipment’s controls are in reach and the seat position is ideal. Adjust mirrors as needed.
- All body parts should be safely inside the confines of the forklift. Operators shouldn’t start the forklift until they are seated with their safety belt fastened.
- To exit, the operator should park the forklift in an authorized area. Fully lower the forks to the floor and apply the park brake. Turn the forklift “off” and remove the key.
### **5. Know Your Environment**
Advise your team to always look in the direction of travel and be fully aware of what is happening in the surrounding areas.
They should:
- Confirm the route is clear. Sound the horn as a warning alert at corners, doorways, and entrances. Follow speed limits and keep a safe distance from other trucks.
- Avoid hazards by using headlights if working at night, outdoors, or in areas in which additional lighting would improve visibility.
- Use a spotter if there are dangerous blind spots. This alerts pedestrians and other forklift operators of your whereabouts to avoid unnecessary collisions.
### **Safety Excellence is our Priority**
Help your team maintain safe work practices by following these key tips that should be on your forklift safety checklist. Our [Safety and Training](https://eqdepot.com/training/) professionals are here to support your efforts to provide a safe and productive work environment. [Contact us for all your safety training needs](https://www.eqdepot.com/safety-and-training/).
## **Schedule Safety Training.**
Ready to run a safer operation? Our training professionals can help you provide a safe and productive work environment.
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