Powered Industrial Trucks (Forklifts)

Talking points

1. Only trained and certified operators may operate a forklift. Certification must be renewed every three years, and re-evaluation is required after any incident.
2. Perform a pre-shift inspection every time — check brakes, steering, horn, lights, forks, mast, tires, and hydraulics before operating.
3. The load capacity plate must be visible and legible. Never exceed the rated capacity — remember that capacity decreases as the load center moves farther from the mast.
4. Pedestrians have the right of way, but don't count on it. Operators must slow down at intersections, sound the horn, and maintain clear sightlines.
5. Never allow riders on the forks, on the counterweight, or anywhere on the forklift not designed for passengers.

Ask the crew

What's the most dangerous thing you've seen happen with a forklift — and how could it have been prevented?

Standards this talk is built on

• 29 CFR 1910.178
• 29 CFR 1926.602

A toolbox talk is a short safety briefing. It supports the training a standard requires; it does not replace it.

Sign-in sheet

Print this page to collect signatures, or run the talk in Jobsite and workers sign in on their phones.

© Jobsite. Free to read aloud, print and use in your own crew's safety meetings. Republishing, reselling or bulk-copying these talks is not permitted.