Forklift truck operators must look in the direction of travel and keep the forklift under control at all times. One of the potential hazards faced by standup forklift operators is the crushing hazard that may arise when traveling, with the forks trailing, in a warehouse near a storage rack or similar obstruction. The risk is that a horizontal rack beam (crossbar) or similar obstruction might enter the operator’s compartment in a situation referred to as “under-ride”. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Integrated Management Information System data for the period of 1993 through 2008 indicates that at least nine employees have been killed and three employees sustained severe crushing injuries when operating a standup forklift in reverse. These forklifts did not have a protective rear guard or corner post to prevent under-ride from occurring.
Proper training is essential to the safe operation of powered industrial trucks. Paragraph (l) of OSHA’s Powered Industrial Trucks Standard, 29 CFR 1910.178, contains training and certification requirements for the use of forklifts that are specific to the workplace. The standard requires employers to develop and implement a training program for all operators based on the general principles of safe truck operation; the types of vehicles being used in the workplace, including the instructions, warnings, and precautions found in the operator’s manual; the hazards of the workplace created by the use of the vehicle; and the general safety requirements of the OSHA standard.
You should evaluate your worksite to determine if an under-ride hazard exists. Refer to the OSHA Safety and Health Information Bulletin for specific recommendations to minimize the chances of an under-ride situation.
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