The Forklift
A forklift is a type of "powered industrial truck" (PIT) covered by OSHA standards.
Like other powered industrial trucks, its purpose is to move, carry, push, pull, and lift a material load, then stack it or place it in a storage rack (tier). Forklifts come in many sizes and capacities and can be powered by batteries, propane, gasoline, or diesel fuel. Some are designed to be used in a hazardous location or atmosphere where an ordinary forklift might cause a fire or explosion.
NIOSH states that the three most common types of injuries occur when:
- a forklift overturns
- workers are struck crushed, or pinned by a forklift, and
- workers fall from a forklift
However, no matter what the task, there is always a great risk of injury or death when a forklift operator:
- has not been trained on the principles that allow a forklift to lift heavy loads
- is not familiar with how a particular forklift operates
- operates the forklift carelessly
- uses a forklift that is malfunctioning or missing parts
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-1. Which of the following is one of the three most common types of forklift accidents?
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