A forklift is one of the most used vehicles in a warehouse to transport storage good from one spot to another within the warehouse. It is although known for attracting hazards and being surrounded by them. Most warehouse managers are aware of the problems and hazards that come along with the operations of a forklift, but if the manager is not aware, here is an excerpt on the four major hazards that can happen around a forklift.

4 Major Forklift Hazards:

· Attachments

· Pedestrians

· Work environment

· Loads

Attachments

Forklift attachments play an important role in the smooth functioning of the forklift, as they can affect the capacity of the forklift in multiple ways. The attachments include: carton clamps, drum clamps, paper-roll clamps, rotators and push-pull elements:

· Attachments have the ability to extend the length and width of the forklift, resulting in a change in the operational clearances.

· Attachments, obviously affect the weight that a forklift can carry. For example, if the capacity of a forklift is 2400 pounds and if there is a weight of 1200 pounds on it already, then the capacity will be reduced by 1200 pounds.

· Attachments of the forklift derive the balance, stability and centre of gravity for the forklift. If the load is moved away from the vertical forks of the forklift, then it affects the capacity of the forklift and reduces the maximum load it can carry, while affecting the balance and the road-grip of the forklift.

Pedestrians

Pedestrians are one of the major reasons for forklift hazards and accidents. Here are some of the common incidents that are cause by pedestrians:

· Impartial vision- the view of the operator is generally blocked by the heavy loads on the head of the forklift which makes it difficult for them to see the pedestrians in their way

· Turning the forklift toward a pedestrian who is in front of or alongside the forklift

· Speeding, so that the forklift can’t stop in time to avoid the pedestrian. This is dangerous even without the involvement of a pedestrian

· Being unaware of pedestrians in the area

· Forklifts are meant for loads and only loads, the operator must not carry passengers on the forklift.

Work Environment

The environment of the space that the forklift is operating in is also quite important as it can be the basis of an accident or hazard. For example:

· Using a combustible fuel-operated forklift in a poorly ventilated area, which could allow the build-up of carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide from the forklift

· The chances of the forklift accident increase if the operational space has multiple ramps that the forklift has to cover

· Crossing railroad tracks can which can unbalance a forklift

· Speeding and braking on slippery floors

· Operating on dirt and gravel

· In-efficient lighting

There are also a few other hazards related to the work environment that can cause a forklift accident. These hazards include holes and pits in the floor, narrow lanes in a warehouse/workspace and availability of flammable and combustible material in the workspace.

Loads

Load-carrying hazards include:

· Imbalanced loads

· Loads that include flammable material

· Carrying heavy loads on high forks

· Loads that completely block the vision of the operator

· Un-monitored stacking and un-stacking on racks

The forklift operators must be trained and qualified enough to understand all the potential hazards that surround them so that they can perform their job in an appropriate manner. It will also prevent injuries to co-workers and reduce the chances of accidents. Here are some control measures and precautionary tasks that can be done to avoid the hazards:

1. Qualified operators only

2. Operators must wear the right uniform

3. Equipment must be checked for damages before use

4. Analyze the safety of the work environment

5. Operate at a safe speed

6. Ensure that the load is stable and secure

7. Make sure you have clear visibility of the path ahead

8. Do not carry storage material or persons

9. Ensure the forklift is not overloaded

10. Drive in reverse gear while driving down from the ramps- do not turn on ramps.

The managers must make sure that the operators follow the rules and take precautionary measures to prevent forklift hazards. It is also extremely important to know the reason for the occurrence of a hazard- in order to be able to solve the problem or take preventive measures.