What Shouldn't Do When Driving a Forklift: The Most Common Driving Mistakes

1. Poor Spatial Awareness – Even expert drivers take for granted how large or small their load actually is compared to their perception. Having a second pair of eyes on the forklift is a must to accurately gauge spatial awareness. If a load takes up too much space, another set of eyes can alert the driver, who sometimes may not know the sizing parameters.

2. Reckless Driving and Operation – Failure to look behind you before backing up is a dangerous practice. Unfortunately, this is a common mistake many forklift operators make. It is absolutely essential to look behind you when you are reversing, as there is a chance that employees may not notice the forklift speeding in their direction. A big part of driving is perceiving risks to yourself and your surroundings. Therefore, it is important to look backward. Additionally, speeding or making sharp turns are two other practices that can lead to disaster. Therefore, it is important to operate these machines with extreme caution and safety.

3. Not observing your surroundings – Unfortunately, this is another common phenomenon. In the modern era of handheld technology, it is increasingly common not to pay attention to your surroundings, which often distracts many people. In the material handling business, this statement is no different. As a result, many accidents are caused by operators failing to observe their surroundings. When using any forklift, it is necessary to keep your head turned and always be aware of any potential hazards and other people
4. Carrying Excessive Weight – According to experts, adding too much weight to any forklift brings with it a host of dangers. From malfunctions in the forklift itself to unbalanced operation, overloading can certainly put workers and personnel at risk. Therefore, it is essential for any forklift operator to know the ratings of their vehicle and exercise caution when picking up loads.