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Dangers of forklift operation – the most common risks and how to avoid them

Forklift operator errors are among the most common causes of accidents in warehouses and on company premises.

Many of these dangers are repeated daily – often due to routine , time pressure , or a misjudgment of stability.

The following overview gives you a concise overview of the typical dangers and how to avoid them.

An overview of the 20 most common hazardous situations when driving a forklift

No training – no control

No PSA against crashes – pure gambling.

Overloaded work platform – no one is counting

The floor is fine – until it gives way

Side load & center of gravity – Swinging into empty space

Too much wind – but you still go up.

Power lines – the invisible arc

Reversing without looking over your shoulder

Working without site inspection – suddenly trapped

Wrong substrate – swamp instead of support plate

Snow, ice & wet conditions – a slip hazard in the basket

Whiplash effect – the abrupt braking

Too many people in the basket

Boom fully extended + driving = tip-over magnet

Not leveled – everything goes wrong

Technical defects ignored – hydraulic failure

Break with raised basket

Uneven terrain is underestimated.

Swiveling without visual control

Incorrect operation of the control system

Correct procedure

Back

Training completed!

You now know the most important hazardous situations when working with mobile elevating work platforms.

Are you planning to get your forklift license?

Practice the most important exam questions beforehand and prepare yourself optimally for your theoretical forklift exam.

Our online test shows you typical questions that can also appear in the real exam – ideal for preparation and quick self-assessment.

Practice exam questions Get a forklift license

Discover more topics

Information about the lifting platform license Operator responsibilities Seatbelt requirement Annual training DGUV regulations EN standards for work platforms Ground pressure caused by aerial work platforms Cohesive soil Whiplash effect Control elements for aerial work platforms Notablass Security equipment Choosing the right basket load Everything about working height Troubleshooting for aerial work platforms The pothole protection system Can a stage fall over? Leaving the work basket

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As a renter of our equipment, you can reach us around the clock at: +49 9451 9441510.

Delivery included

We deliver rented work platforms and forklifts directly to your project - or you can pick them up yourself .

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SYSTEM-CARD training courses

Practical, recognized, directly with us – book certified SYSTEM-CARD training courses for work platforms and forklifts.