National Forklift Safety Day: Why Operator Training Isn’t Optional

Every year on the second Tuesday in June, workplaces across the country observe National Forklift Safety Day – an initiative established in 2014 by the Industrial Truck Association (ITA)¹ to highlight one of the most preventable causes of workplace injury in America. This year, the event falls on June 9, 2026.

At Lift Truck Center, we don’t think of forklift safety as a one-day event. It’s a daily commitment. But National Forklift Safety Day gives us a meaningful moment to reflect on the numbers, revisit what OSHA requires, and reinforce what proper training really looks like.

Did You Know?

The numbers are a sobering reminder. OSHA estimates approximately 85 forklift fatalities occur in U.S. workplaces every year² – a figure that has held consistent for years. Meanwhile, OSHA’s FY2024 citation data³ shows the Powered Industrial Truck standard ranked sixth most cited across all industries. The encouraging reality: OSHA estimates that up to 70% of forklift accidents could be prevented⁴ with better training policies.

What OSHA Actually Requires

Federal regulation OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178(l)⁵ is the governing standard for powered industrial truck operation. It doesn’t just suggest training – it mandates it. Here’s what every employer needs to know:

• Operators must complete formal theory training – either online or in a classroom setting
• Training must include practical, hands-on operation with the specific type of equipment used at that worksite
• Each operator must be evaluated by a qualified trainer and certified by the employer
• Operators must be at least 18 years of age
• Recertification is required at least every three years
• A pre-shift inspection of the forklift is required before every shift, per OSHA’s Powered Industrial Trucks page⁶

It’s important to note that OSHA certification is employer-specific. An operator who moves from one company to another – or even moves to a new piece of equipment – may require recertification because each jobsite presents unique hazards, layouts, and equipment types.

The Three Pillars of Forklift Safety

At Lift Truck Center, we build our training programs around three pillars that align directly with OSHA’s framework:

1. Theory Training

Operators need to understand the physics and fundamentals of lift truck operation – load capacity, center of gravity, the stability triangle, safe speeds, and how to handle ramps and uneven surfaces. We offer both classroom-based and online certification courses to fit any schedule and workforce size.

2. Hands-On Practical Training

Theory only goes so far. Our Lift Truck Center trainers come to your facility and work with your operators on your actual equipment, in your actual environment. This is where real safety is built – understanding blind spots in your racking system, learning traffic patterns specific to your dock, and building the muscle memory that protects both the operator and the people working around them. The ITA consistently emphasizes that hands-on, site-specific training is the most effective tool for reducing incidents.

3. Employer Evaluation & Certification

The final step is the employer-led performance evaluation. We can prepare your internal team to conduct and document these evaluations, or our trainers can facilitate them on your behalf. We can also help you establish a Train the Trainer program so your organization can manage ongoing compliance internally.

Don’t Forget Pedestrian Safety

Forklift training isn’t only about the operator. Warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing facilities are shared spaces – and pedestrians are at significant risk when operators aren’t properly trained. OSHA notes⁷ that pedestrian safety is a core component of any compliant powered industrial truck program. A well-structured training program protects everyone in the building, not just the person behind the controls.

Consider pairing operator training with a workplace safety audit that evaluates pedestrian pathways, signage, traffic patterns, and visibility challenges in your specific facility. Solutions like SENS proximity warning systems can also add an extra layer of protection by alerting operators and pedestrians to potential collisions in real time.

Technology That Supports Safety

Training is the foundation, but technology can reinforce it. Lift Truck Center offers telemetry devices that help you:

• Manage and track operator certification status across your fleet
• Restrict equipment access to certified operators only
• Improve impact management accountability
• Electronically conduct and store pre-shift inspection records

Telemetry-enabled safety programs reduce maintenance costs and downtime by shifting operations from reactive repairs to predictive, data-driven maintenance. The Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA)⁸ also points to regular maintenance as a proactive step in identifying and addressing potential hazards before they lead to incidents.

Planned Maintenance: The Other Half of the Safety Equation

OSHA requires⁹ that lift trucks be maintained in safe operating condition, and that operators remove equipment from service if a deficiency is found during a pre-shift inspection. A well-run planned maintenance (PM) program doesn’t just protect your equipment investment; it’s a critical safety tool that catches issues before they become incidents.

Not sure if your training program meets OSHA requirements? Lift Truck Center can assess your current program, provide training materials, and help you build a compliant, sustainable certification process – whether you prefer instructor-led training, online courses, or a Train the Trainer approach. Learn more about our training options.

Make Safety Day More Than a Day

National Forklift Safety Day is a great catalyst – use it to audit your training records, check recertification dates, review pre-shift inspection documentation, and assess whether your equipment is due for maintenance. But the real goal is to build a culture where these habits happen every shift, every week, all year long.

When operators are trained, confident, and supported, and when employers invest in the systems that reinforce safe behavior, the results speak for themselves: fewer injuries, less downtime, lower costs, and a workplace where everyone goes home safely.

Ready to schedule operator training, explore online certification, or talk to one of our trainers about building a compliant safety program for your facility?

1. “National Forklift Safety Day – Industrial Truck Association.” Industrial Truck Association, 7 Apr. 2026, www.indtrk.org/national-forklift-safety-day. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.‌ ↩︎
2. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. “Powered Industrial Trucks – Forklifts – Overview | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.” Www.osha.gov, www.osha.gov/powered-industrial-trucks. ↩︎
3. Cvetanovski, David, and David Cvetanovski. “OSHA Top 10 Citations for 2024.” ForkliftTraining.com^TM, 17 Jan. 2025, forklifttraining.com/osha-top-10-citations-2024/. ↩︎
4. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. “Powered Industrial Trucks – Forklifts – Overview | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.” Www.osha.gov, www.osha.gov/powered-industrial-trucks. ↩︎
5. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. “1910.178 – Powered Industrial Trucks. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.” Osha.gov, 2016, www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.178. ↩︎
6. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. “Powered Industrial Trucks – Forklifts – Overview | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.” Www.osha.gov, www.osha.gov/powered-industrial-trucks. ↩︎
7. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. “Powered Industrial Trucks – Forklifts – Overview | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.” Www.osha.gov, www.osha.gov/powered-industrial-trucks. ↩︎
8. “MHEDA.” MHEDA, 10 June 2025, www.mheda.org/industry-news/national-forklift-safety-day-2025/. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026. ↩︎
9. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. “1910.178 – Powered Industrial Trucks. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.” Osha.gov, 2016, www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.178. ↩︎