At Staff Force, we specialize in light industrial staffing and employ several forklift operators. This is one of the jobs we find the most need to fill from our clients. Forklift operating is not as easy as it might seem, and mistakes can be made when someone is not experienced with operating this type of machinery.

If you are exhausted or on medication that causes drowsiness, do not try to operate any machinery. This will prevent you and those around you from experiencing injury. Only operate machinery when you are focused and not tired.

When working in a warehouse, you will often need to pass another forklift, and passing at blind spots and intersections makes driving this machinery harder. Always go slow and warn those around you that you are present. Remember that pedestrians have the right of way at all times, so you should always be looking in front of you for pedestrians to avoid injuries if you lose control or start to tip.

Keep your machinery low while it is moving. Carrying loads that are tall and heavy might put the forklift at risk for tipping over. Making turns quickly and turning on a grade can also cause the forklift to tip over. Only drive the machinery as fast as you can walk to prevent it from becoming unstable and causing injuries. Always wear your seatbelt to avoid personal injury if your machinery does tip over.

Keep track of the time when you are operating a gasoline or propane machine to avoid unsafe carbon monoxide levels. Pay attention to the surfaces that you are driving on, as slick conditions and uneven ground can cause an accident. If you do have to drive on water, ice, snow, etc., stay focused and drive slowly to avoid accidents. Never drive the machinery around unknown liquid substances, as there is a chance that they could be flammable. When driving on a ramp, always back up down the ramp and drive forward up the ramp.

Besides all of these tips, you should always take precaution when operating forklift machinery. There are a number of factors that can cause an accident, and these are only a few of the possibilities.

If you are interested in working with Staff Force light industrial staffing agency to find the right job for you, contact us today. We are looking forward to hearing from you and placing you in a job that is the best fit for your skill set.