ANSI B56.1: The Safety Standard for Low Lift and High Lift Trucks

In this video, the American National Standards Institute will discuss ANSI B56.1, the safety standard for low lift and high lift trucks.

Forklifts are commonly used in warehouses, storage facilities, and distribution centers, allowing workers to quickly shift and move loads. Forklift operators and employees working around these operations, however, are at risk of hazards such as collisions, falls, tip-overs, and struck-by conditions.

Since a forklift is heavier than a car and also more unstable, a forklift accident often causes severe or fatal injuries. Also, forklifts can easily tip if they are overloaded, if the load is not well balanced, or if they travel with the forks too high.

The majority of fork lift accidents, however, are preventable. By prioritizing comprehensive training, rigorous inspection protocols, and robust protection measures, companies can dramatically reduce the incidence of forklift-related accidents.

ANSI B56.1 is a safety standard for powered industrial trucks, helping to assure the safety of many workers by covering guidelines for powered industrial truck operators regarding worker competency, training, and operator responsibilities.

The American National Standard defines safety guidelines for the design, operation, and maintenance of low lift and high lift powered industrial trucks controlled by a riding or walking operator, and intended for use on compacted, improved surfaces. Such trucks are controlled by a riding or walking operator, and they are intended for use on compacted, improved services.

ANSI B56.1 has a major application in industry, serving as a guide to manufacturers, purchasers, and users of the equipment. It can also be used as a guide by governmental authorities desiring to formulate safety rules and regulations. If your workplace is seeking compliance to ANSI B56.1, you can find the standard on the ANSI Webstore.

Links:
• ANSI B56.1 is available on the ANSI Webstore: https://webstore.ansi.org/standards/a...
• You can learn more about ANSI B56.1 on the ANSI Blog: https://blog.ansi.org/2020/12/ansi-b5...

References:
• “Fact: industrial truck accidents cause approximately 85 fatalities, 34,900 serious injuries each year, and 61,800 non-serious injuries each year in the United States.” OSHA, 14 March, 1995, https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/federa...
• “Forklifts can weigh up to 9,000 lbs, which is three times heavier than most cars. Forklifts can travel up to 18mph. Forklifts are heavier in the rear to compensate for the heavy loads being carried in the front. This uneven forklift weight distribution can make a forklift difficult to handle. Forklifts are often used to raise heavy loads to considerable heights, which is always dangerous. Loads are carried in the front of a forklift, which can obstruct the view of the driver. A forklift is turned by the rear wheels, causing the rear end to swing outward. This increases the chance of tipping over during tight turns. Unlike a car, forklifts only have brakes in the front, making them harder to stop.” WarehouseWiz, 12 January 2024, https://warehousewiz.com/blogs/news/o...
• "Powered industrial trucks (commonly known as forklifts) were the fifth most frequently cited standard in fiscal year 2023 followed by two training-related issues: a lack of refresher training for operators and missing or inadequate forklift operator certification.” OSHA 30 September, 2023, https://www.osha.gov/top10citedstandards
• “Forklift overturns are the leading cause of fatalities involving forklifts; they represent about 25 percent of all forklift-related deaths.” OSHA, June, 2001, https://www.osha.gov/etools/powered-i...

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