LANDSCAPE ONTARIO – WORKPLACE SAFETY TAILGATE TALKS
50 © 2026, WSPS.CA
FORKLIFT
Personal Protective Equipment
Equipment Hazards
!
WSIB data shows that from 2019–2023, 7,525 incidents
related to industrial vehicles, including forklifts, resulted
in lost-time injury (LTI) claims. The average forklift-related
LTI claim results in 67 days lost from work (Ontario Newsroom,
2009; WSIB, 2024).
!
Forklift incidents and injuries can be prevented
by training operators properly as well as non-forklift
driving co-workers.
Prevention Points
Consider these prevention points:
Review the General Health & Safety Best Practices section on
page 11 before performing any task.
Set the forks as wide as possible to support the load. Before
lifting, ensure the load is as far back on the forks as possible,
with its centre of gravity between the forks.
Never exceed the loading capacity of the machine. When the
forks are empty, make sure they are lowered and tilted back.
Always signal, such as sounding the horn, when approaching an
area where other workers are working.
