Other Workers' Safety - Raising or Lowering Workers

Generally, lift trucks should not be used to transport workers other than the operator unless the truck is equipped with a passenger seat inside the operator compartment. However, it is sometimes necessary when performing inventory or other tasks. If an employer or site manager deems it necessary to raise or lower personnel on a lift truck, that lift must be equipped with a platform. NEVER allow workers to board the forks of a lift or ride from one place to another anywhere outside the compartment. The worker on the platform must be using appropriate fall protection equipment, including being attached to a lifeline in case of a fall or platform support failure. The load capacity of the lift must be more than two times the weight of the worker and all equipment on the platform. If possible, use a lift truck that has multiple sets of controls so that either the operator or the worker on the platform can shut down the system in case of an emergency. Other controls should be limited to operation at one station at a time.

To learn more about Forklift Safety visit our Canada Forklift Safety Online Training web page.