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Forklift Operating Surfaces

Forklifts are called “heavy equipment” for good reason. An unloaded standard forklift at 5,000 lbs of rated lift capacity weighs 9,000 lbs. With a load, the forklift weight can increase to 14,000 lbs. Pressure on Floor Surfaces It’s not uncommon to see blacktop damaged by repeated forklift traffic. When carrying a maximum capacity load, a […]

forklift dock safety

Dock Safety Hazards of Loading and Unloading Trailers

The act of loading and unloading a trailer forces the forklift operator to interact with another piece of equipment (trailer) and another human (truck driver), which increases safety risks and hazards. Dock Safety: Common Hazards Trucks and trailers can creep away from docks while loading and unloading due to the weight and force of the […]

forklift training best practices

Forklift Training Best Practices

Since 1997, ProLift has supported customers with forklift safety training classes for forklift operators and forklift operator train-the-trainer classes for new trainers. Some trainings are hosted at our ProLift locations; however, most take place at the customer’s site and our Training team has learned how to plan for a training class no matter the setting […]

forklift operator training

Forklift Safety: Hands-On Evaluation

Forklift trainers are responsible for observing operators during the initial and refresher forklift training. What is the best way to score the forklift hands-on evaluation? After zoning off a safe area for forklift operator training away from daily warehouse production and pedestrians, a company trainer can evaluate each participant’s knowledge of the forklift’s operation. Each […]

forklift operator traiing

Should You Have an In-House Forklift Safety Trainer?

Every company using forklifts is responsible for providing operator safety training to keep in compliance with federal law. When developing a safety plan for your company and its forklift operators, the first decision to make is whether to have an in-house forklift safety trainer or outsource to a specialist. In-House Forklift Safety Trainer Advantages When […]

Forklift LP tank

8 Tips For Changing a Forklift LP Tank

Because liquid propane (LP) is a flammable and explosive gas, changing an LP tank on a forklift offers risks. To keep ourselves and co-workers safe, we must act responsibly. Changing a Forklift LP Tank Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) The fuel inside the LP tank is contained at a high pressure and has a temperature […]

forklift license

Do You Need a Forklift License?

In 1999, OSHA revised their powered industrial truck guidelines to require all operators attend a forklift safety training class that includes formal instruction, hands-on training and an evaluation of the operator’s performance on the worksite. Conducted by a trainer with knowledge and experience, the forklift training must be received upon hire and renewed every 3 […]

forklift operator training

Forklift Safety: Who Has the Right of Way?

With a weak economy and consumer confidence low, companies are closely watching revenue and profit margins. The few companies that are experiencing growth are holding off on non-essential costs such as building expansions or moving to larger facilities. Forklift Pedestrian Safety More work is being accomplished in tighter areas – that means forklifts and pedestrians […]

forklift tip over

What to Do During a Forklift Tip-Over

On average 100 people lose their lives each year working on, or around forklifts, and almost half of those casualties result from forklift tip-over accidents. Engineering, accident statistics, eye-witness, and first-hand accounts tell us that if an operator stays inside the overhead guard area in the seat of the forklift, the operator’s chance of survival […]

forklift safety training

Training Another Company’s Forklift Operators

“After attending a forklift trainer program for my company, can I consider training another company’s forklift operators?” ProLift occasionally receives this question from our class attendees. They’ve completed a forklift Train-the-Trainer course on behalf of their company, and later someone they know personally asks to hire them for training. Can you train another company’s forklift […]

Forklift Operator Training

Training For Change

Why do we conduct forklift operator training every 3 years? Things change with technology, facilities, materials, processes, laws, standards, and forklift equipment. Unfortunately, we human beings change over time too: eye sight, eye-to-hand coordination, motor skills, memory and cognitive capability. Forklift Training: Training and Evaluation Changes require training and evaluation. We must allow operators to […]

forklift abuse

Common Signals of Forklift Abuse

“Our forklift repairs have increased and we have maxed out our budget only 6 months into the year. How do I determine which repairs are for normal wear and when the damage is caused by forklift abuse?” When an operator or the application a forklift operates puts a forklift in a situation that causes equipment […]