Forklift Operation

Effective training and supervision essential to safety.

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and construction regulations, employers have an obligation to

• acquaint a worker with the handling of any equipment
• inform a worker and supervisor about any hazard in the work
• instruct, inform, and supervise workers to protect their health and safety
• appoint competent persons as supervisors.

With regard to forklifts, an employer must ensure that a person assigned to operate the equipment is "competent" or "qualified" to do so. To fulfill this obligation an employer should take the following steps.

1. Establish the competence of workers who will operate forklifts

Before assigning a worker to operate a forklift without direct supervision, ensure that the worker

• has been informed of the hazards associated with operating a forklift in the workplace
• knows how to protect himself or herself and others from the hazards
• has demonstrated to a trained and experienced operator the skills and knowledge necessary to operate a forklift safely.

Forklift safety training is available from CSAO.

2. Inform and instruct others in the workplace

• Inform and instruct employees about the hazards not only of operating but also of working near forklifts, the procedures that they must follow to avoid harm, and where the written procedures are kept.
• For each hazard or potential source of harm, prepare written procedures for preventing accidents and injuries.
• Ensure that supervisors and workers are informed of any changes to procedures as a result of changes to work.

3. Provide effective supervision

• Appoint supervisors of forklift operations who, through training and experience, know the hazards associated with the type of forklift used, the loads handled, and the environment in which the forklift operates. Supervisors must also be able to identify unsafe acts and conditions and implement corrective measures.
• Encourage supervisors to watch for unsafe acts or conditions and to correct them immediately when detected.

4. Promote internal responsibility

Involve supervisors, workers, and the joint health and safety committee (or health and safety representative) in

• identifying workplace hazards
• developing rules and procedures to prevent injuries
• identifying causes of accidents, incidents, and near misses
• monitoring improvements in forklift safety.

 

Information in this article has been taken from
the Guideline for Safe Operation of Powered Lift Trucks
published by the Ontario Ministry of Labour.
For copies of the guideline, contact

Publications Section
Ministry of Labour
400 University Avenue, 9th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1T7
(416) 326-7731 1-800-268-8013