Forklifts are incredibly useful machines, essential to many workplaces—from warehouses and factories to construction sites. But with great power comes great responsibility. When safety rules are ignored, these helpful machines can turn dangerous fast. Accidents involving forklifts cause serious injuries and even deaths every year. That’s why it’s so important to understand the most common forklift safety violations—and how to avoid them.
If you’re in the business of lifting, moving, or transporting heavy loads. And if you ever need professional help, Jugnoo Transport offers expert forklift and equipment solutions to keep your projects running safely and smoothly.
1. Overloading the Lift truck
One of the biggest mistakes operators make is overloading the forklift. This means putting more weight on the forklift than it’s designed to carry.
Why Overloading is Dangerous
When you overload a forklift, it becomes unstable. It might tip over, lose control, or even drop the load. It’s not just unsafe for the operator—it puts everyone nearby at risk. Plus, it can damage the forklift itself, leading to costly repairs.
Know Your Load Limits
Every forklift has a weight limit listed on its data plate. Always check this before lifting anything. Just because it looks like the forklift can lift it, doesn’t mean it should.
Balance Matters Too
It’s not just about how much you lift, but how you lift it. A properly balanced load will keep the forklift stable. An unbalanced load, even if it’s within weight limits, can still cause accidents.
Jugnoo Transport provides forklifts with clearly marked load capacities and offers training support to ensure every operator knows how to handle loads safely.
2. Poor or No Pre-Operation Inspection
Skipping the daily check-up? That’s a mistake. Doing a pre-operation inspection is one of the simplest ways to keep a forklift safe—and yet, it’s one of the most ignored steps.
What is a Pre-Operation Inspection?
This is a quick but important check done before using the forklift. It includes looking at:
- Brakes and steering
- Tires and forks
- Lights and alarms
- Fluid levels and leaks
- Seat belts and controls
Why This Step Is So Important
Imagine hopping into a car with no brakes. That’s what it’s like to use a forklift without checking it first. Catching small issues early can prevent big accidents later.
Make It a Daily Habit
All operators should be trained to do this before every shift. It only takes a few minutes, but it could save a life. Not doing so is a violation—and an invitation for accidents.
Repeat this every day. Yes, poor or no pre-operation inspection is a violation. And yes, you need to do it even if the forklift looked fine yesterday. At Jugnoo Transport, every piece of equipment goes through a rigorous inspection before delivery.
3. Operating Without Certification or Training
No license? No training? Then no driving. Operating without certification or training is not just unsafe—it’s illegal.
Why Training is Non-Negotiable
Forklifts don’t drive like cars. They’re heavier, less stable, and have special controls. Proper training helps operators:
- Understand load capacities
- Navigate tight spaces
- Recognize hazards
- Perform safety checks
Legal and Insurance Risks
In many countries, it’s the law: operators must be certified. If an untrained operator causes an accident, your company could face lawsuits, fines, and even shutdowns.
Training Saves Lives
A trained operator knows what to do—and what not to do. They’re less likely to make mistakes and more likely to notice when something feels wrong.
Jugnoo Transport not only provides certified forklifts but also connects clients with qualified operators and training sessions to ensure your team stays compliant and confident.
4. Driving with an Elevated Load
It may look cool in movies, but in real life, driving with an elevated load is a huge safety risk.
What’s the Problem?
When the load is raised too high while moving, it shifts the center of gravity. This makes the forklift unstable and more likely to tip over, especially when turning.
It Blocks Your View
A high load can block the operator’s vision, increasing the risk of hitting objects, walls, or even people. Accidents often happen not because of speed, but because the driver couldn’t see where they were going.
Simple Rule: Keep It Low
Always keep the forks close to the ground while driving—usually 4 to 6 inches above the floor. Raise them only when you’re about to stack or unstack.
At Jugnoo Transport, safety guidelines are a part of every rental agreement. We remind clients to avoid driving with an elevated load to maintain a safe work environment.
5. Improper Use of Forklift Attachments
Forklift attachments can make life easier, like clamps, extensions, or rotators. But using them the wrong way? That’s a problem.
What Counts as Improper Use?
- Using homemade or non-approved attachments
- Ignoring weight limits after adding attachments
- Using an attachment for a task it wasn’t designed for
Every Attachment Changes the Forklift
Attachments affect the forklift’s balance and capacity. If you don’t update the load chart or understand how it changes the operation, you’re inviting trouble.
Get Training on Each Tool
Just like the forklift itself, every attachment has its own rules. Operators need to know how to use them safely.
Jugnoo Transport offers a wide variety of approved attachments and provides instruction on proper use. We help you get more done—safely.
6. Poor or No Pre-Operation Inspection (Again)
Yes, we’re repeating it because it’s just that important. Doing a pre-operation inspection isn’t optional—it’s critical.
Why Repeat This Point?
Because people skip it. Even experienced operators can get lazy. And it’s usually the skipped inspections that lead to preventable accidents.
Inspections Catch Red Flags
- A leaking hydraulic hose?
- A loose fork?
- A non-working horn?
These are real dangers. And they’re easy to catch early—if someone checks.
How Jugnoo Ensures It Gets Done
We emphasize inspection checklists, train staff to use them, and won’t rent a forklift unless it passes a full safety audit.
Don’t take shortcuts. Poor or no pre-operation inspection is one of the top violations for a reason.
7. Driving with an Elevated Load (Again)
Yes, this violation is so common, it deserves another mention.
Real Risks, Real Accidents
Many injuries and tip-overs are caused by someone deciding to lift a load and move at the same time. It might save a few seconds, but it puts lives at risk.
Visibility and Stability
An elevated load makes it harder to steer, harder to see, and easier to fall. You risk losing the load, damaging inventory, or worse—injuring a coworker.
Jugnoo’s Take
We educate every client that renting a forklift isn’t enough—you must know how to use it properly. That includes never driving with an elevated load.
Conclusion
Forklifts are vital to countless industries. But when safety is ignored, they can become deadly. The seven violations we’ve covered—overloading the forklift, poor or no pre-operation inspection, operating without certification or training, driving with an elevated load, and improper use of forklift attachments—are all preventable.
Every company using forklifts has a choice: cut corners or commit to safety. At Jugnoo Transport, we choose safety. We provide reliable equipment, expert support, and ongoing safety education. When you rent from us, you get more than just machinery—you get peace of mind.
Be smart. Be safe. prepared.
FAQs
Overloading can cause the forklift to tip over or drop the load. It’s dangerous and damages both the machine and the load. Always stick to the rated capacity.
Before every shift. Skipping pre-operation checks is a serious violation and a safety risk. Make it a daily habit.
No. Experience isn’t a substitute for certification. It’s a legal requirement in many areas to have proper training.
It blocks your view, shifts the center of gravity, and makes the forklift unstable. Always drive with forks close to the ground.
Only manufacturer-approved attachments should be used. Improper use of forklift attachments can change load capacity and balance, leading to accidents.