Most forklift accidents don’t start with some dramatic, movie-worthy moment. They usually start with something much simpler: a rushed inspection, a blocked view, a load that “should be fine,” or an operator getting a little too comfortable.
That’s why forklift safety starts before you turn the key.
Whether you’re a brand-new operator or you’ve been driving forklifts for years, good habits matter. Proper forklift training, regular refresher training, equipment inspections and knowing your surroundings all play a part in keeping operators, pedestrians and equipment safe.
In British Columbia, forklift operators must be properly trained before operating a lift truck. WorkSafeBC states that operators must be trained to the applicable CSA standard and successfully complete the required testing. Refresher or upgrade training is also required at least every three years.
Experience is valuable, but it should never replace safe habits.
Before worrying about lifting a pallet, check the machine that is about to lift it.
WorkSafeBC requires mobile equipment to be inspected before it is first operated on a shift, with unsafe or potentially unsafe defects reported to the supervisor or employer. Operators must also continue monitoring the equipment while it is being used.
A proper forklift pre-use inspection should include things such as:
If something doesn’t look, sound or operate correctly, report it. The pre-use inspection isn’t paperwork designed to make the clipboard feel important. It is one of the simplest ways to prevent an equipment problem from becoming an accident.
Not every forklift operates the same way.
A sit-down counterbalance forklift, narrow aisle reach truck, order picker, powered pallet jack and rough terrain forklift all have different operating characteristics and hazards.
This is one reason forklift operator training in British Columbia needs to go beyond simply knowing how to make the machine move.
Operators need to understand the equipment they are actually using, including its controls, capacity, stability, steering characteristics, visibility and limitations.
WorkSafeBC also requires additional training when new equipment is introduced, when performance concerns become evident or when there are significant changes to an operator’s job.
Knowing how to drive one forklift doesn’t automatically make someone an expert on every forklift with forks attached to it.
Forklifts are incredibly useful machines, but they don’t have the same stability characteristics as your car.
Operators need to understand concepts such as the stability triangle, load centre, centre of gravity and forklift capacity.
The heavier the load, the farther its centre of gravity is positioned from the forklift, and the higher the load is raised, the more attention needs to be paid to stability.
That means avoiding sudden turns, hard braking and travelling with an elevated load: This is forklift safety 101.
Safe forklift operation means smooth movements, controlled speeds and keeping the load low while travelling whenever practical.
Before picking up a load, look at it.
Is it stable? Is it damaged? Is the pallet in good condition? Is the weight within the forklift’s rated capacity? Is the load centred properly on the forks?
If the answer to one of those questions is “probably,” take another look.
Operators should understand the forklift’s data plate and capacity before lifting a load. Forks should be positioned appropriately, loads should be secure and unstable loads should be corrected before travelling.
Sometimes the safest lift is the one you don’t make until the problem has been fixed.
One of the biggest hazards around forklifts isn’t on the forklift at all.
WorkSafeBC specifically identifies collisions with pedestrians as one of the risks associated with forklifts and other materials-handling equipment.
BC warehouses and yards can be busy places. Operators may be dealing with racking, trucks, doors, blind corners, noise and other equipment while pedestrians are moving through the same area.
That makes communication and awareness essential.
Slow down near intersections and blind corners. Use the horn when appropriate. Maintain visibility. Follow designated traffic routes. Never assume somebody has seen you just because you’re driving several thousand pounds of machinery.
Eye contact and hand signals beats mind reading every time.
Large loads can completely block an operator’s forward view. When that happens, operators need to use the safe travel method appropriate for the equipment and environment rather than trying to peek around the load while continuing forward. Driving in reverse key in these situations.
Blind corners, doorways, trailers, racking and pedestrian areas deserve extra attention.
Saving five seconds isn’t much of an achievement if the next twenty minutes are spent explaining what happened.
If the forklift is equipped with an operator restraint system, use it.
The seatbelt is there to help keep the operator within the protective area of the truck if something goes wrong.
Good operators don’t decide which safety equipment matters based on how short the trip is.
Ten feet is still enough distance for something unexpected to happen.
Experience is valuable. So is proper training.
The best operators usually have both.
Effective forklift training should help operators understand why the machine behaves the way it does, recognize workplace hazards and demonstrate that they can safely operate the equipment.
BC regulations emphasizes supervised, hands-on training for workers performing specific tasks and operating machinery.
That hands-on component matters.
You can watch someone parallel park a car for three hours. Eventually you’re still going to have to get behind the wheel. This is where online forklift training falls short.
Even the most experienced operator develop bad habits over time.
Forklift operators in BC require refresher or upgrade training within a period not exceeding three years. Training may also be required sooner following an operator-related incident, the introduction of different equipment, performance concerns or significant changes in the operator’s work.
Forklift recertification training is an opportunity to correct bad habits, review safety procedures and make sure experienced operators haven’t become too comfortable behind the controls.
There isn’t one magic forklift safety rule that prevents every accident.
It’s the combination of small things operators do every shift:
Those habits aren’t complicated, but they make a big difference.
Good forklift operator safety starts before the forklift moves and continues until the machine is safely parked at the end of the shift.
Forklift operators in British Columbia must receive proper training and successfully complete the required testing before operating a lift truck. WorkSafeBC does not require a government-issued forklift licence or certificate; however, employers must ensure operators meet the required training and performance standards.
WorkSafeBC guidance referencing CSA B335 states that refresher training must take place within a period not exceeding three years. Retraining may be required earlier following an operator-related incident, changes in equipment or duties, or concerns about an operator’s performance.
Proper forklift safety training should include both knowledge and practical skill development. Regulations emphasizes supervised, hands-on training so workers can demonstrate that they know how to operate equipment safely.
Yes. Previous experience doesn’t automatically demonstrate that an operator meets current workplace training and performance requirements. Employers are responsible for assessing an operator’s ability before assigning them forklift duties.
Operators should complete a pre-operational inspection before the forklift is first used during the shift and report unsafe or potentially unsafe defects. The forklift should also be monitored throughout the shift for problems that develop during operation.
At Rob’s Forklift Training, we believe good forklift training isn’t just about passing a test. It’s about developing operators who understand their equipment, recognize hazards and make safe decisions when they’re behind the controls.
We provide practical, hands-on forklift training in British Columbia, including training at our Maple Ridge facility and onsite forklift training for businesses that want their employees trained on the equipment and in the environment they work in every day.
Because forklift safety doesn’t start when the forks go up.
It starts before you turn the key.