Forklifts are an essential piece of material handling equipment that many companies cannot do without. Helpful in warehouses, construction sites and other industrial environments, forklifts make life easier for your employees. However, the winter season presents many challenges in the outdoor operation of forklifts. This presentation highlights key points to safe and efficient operations. For more in-depth tips, visit the complete guide: Purchasing.com/construction-equipment/forklifts/winter-forklift-safety-tips/

1. FORKLIFT SAFETY
Winter
Tips

2. Forklifts are an essential piece of material handling equipment that many
companies cannot do without, and winter weather can present unique
challenges. The key to safe and efficient operation is well-trained and
attentive operators.
According to OSHA, every year there are:
85
fatalities
34,900
serious accidents
61,800
non-serious accidents
Forklift training is an absolute must to prevent forklift accidents!

3. There are about 855,900 forklifts in the US, and it’s estimated that 11% of
all forklifts will be involved in an accident each year.
43% occur in
Manufacturing
24% occur in
Construction
OSHA estimates that
almost 50% could
have been prevented
by better training

4. In the next few slides, we’ll share the following winter forklift training tips.
Be sure to include them in your next training session!
Winter
Hazards
Operator
Protection
Forklift
Protection
Forklift
Operation
Forklift
Attachments

5. Winter Hazards
It’s imperative that you teach your operators how to
identify all possible hazards in the winter, including:
Snow and Ice
Wet Conditions
Slippery Conditions
Limited Visibility
Cold
You can address many of these
hazards by taking care of two things:
Your operator and your forklift1 2

6. Operator Protection
An important component of protecting your operators is making sure that
they wear the proper winter gear, including:
Warm Gloves and a Hat
Outermost Gear that is in Highly Visible Colors
Multiple Layers of Warm Dress
Windproof Clothing
Make sure your operator takes their breaks. In the winter, they need to
concentrate more than usual, creating additional mental strain.

7. Forklift Protection
Purchase a high quality forklift cover to protect it from the elements
(OSHA will remove any self-made ones). Choose a cover with ribs and
gutters to dispel water. Also, make sure you equip the forklifts with tires for
winter use. The right tire will help with traction and stability.
Pneumatic tires are better than solid tires in bad conditions
You can use tires with chains or studs as well
It can help to add a weight block to the forklift
You can also grit yard areas to help with traction

8. Forklift Operation
For safe operation, train your operators to use this checklist:
Before During After
Make sure the winter items
(chains, cover, studs, tire check)
are all in place
Check the lighting. Is it sufficient?
Check the weather outside. Is it
wet or icy? Put on the cover or tire
chains if necessary
Check fuel and fluid levels
Allow the forklift to warm up
properly. This is important for the
engine and hydraulics
Slow down. Only go as fast as
conditions will safely allow
Ensure continuous visibility
Continually monitor working
conditions for limited visibility,
slippery surfaces, etc
Clean the machine. Proper
maintenance is the first line of
defense for safe operation
Check fluid levels and top off if
necessary
For electric forklifts, plug in the
battery
For propane or diesel forklifts,
plug in the battery heater (if
there is one)

9. Forklift Attachments
There are forklift attachments available to help you with
snow control, including:
Plow Scoop Salter/Sander
Push and remove
snow from parking,
loading and working
areas.
Pick up and pile snow
out of the way to
ensure a job can
continue smoothly.
Treat your parking, loading,
and working areas and
improve traction and
stability for forklifts and
other machinery.

10. Make sure maintenance
services, load tests and
the OSHA-required
annual inspection occur
on time
Store the forklift in a
secure and dry area.
Make sure it is plugged
in if necessary (battery
and battery warmer)
Use top quality hydraulic
fluid, like Hydrex XV, that has
a wide working range and
reaches viscosity quickly
Opt for winterized diesel with
additives to keep it from
gelling in the winter. Diesel
engines should also be
plugged in overnight
Winter Forklift Maintenance
Lastly, don’t underestimate the benefits of a proper winter
forklift maintenance routine.

11. Wishing You a Safe Winter,
Your Friends at Purchasing.com

12. In business since 1992, Purchasing.com has connected nearly 5 million buyers with pre-
screened, qualified sellers. Our current seller network exceeds 3,500 top brands and
continues to grow every year. With a history built around helping procurement officers and
SMB owners make smart buying decisions, Purchasing.com has positioned itself as an
essential resource and first stop in the B2B purchasing process. Our mission is simple: help
buyers save time and money by providing robust purchasing guides and buying resources and
matching their buying needs with pre-qualified suppliers offering customized price quotes.
Visit http://www.purchasing.com to learn more.
Contact us
888-977-4788
info@purchasing.com
Twitter: @Purchasing_com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/purchasingdotcom
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+Purchasingdotcom
Partner with us
If you are interested in partnering with Purchasing.com and you’re a qualified supplier of
industrial equipment or services, contact us at sales@purchasing.com.