National Forklift Safety Day 2025 will be observed on Tuesday, June 10th. This annual event, organized by the Industrial Truck Association (ITA), focuses on promoting safe forklift operation and emphasizing the importance of operator training and safety practices. The event serves as a platform for the industry to educate customers, policymakers, and the public about the importance of forklift safety. We are passionate about forklifts and the ingenious way that they help businesses thrive. They can move materials quickly and are an absolute necessity for numerous industries.
At Big Joe, we take pride in our history. We often receive questions like, “Who is Joe?” or “Is there really a Joe?” According to legend, in the 1950s, on Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago, our founders sought to address the challenges of moving heavy cast-iron cash register boxes out of retail stores. This task would strain even the strongest person's back, leading to high turnover among these workers and frustration for the retail companies. The person overseeing the move exclaimed, "I wish I knew a big Joe to help me get this out of here." Thus, the Big Joe brand was born, created to alleviate the pain and suffering associated with moving heavy objects. The first product manufactured was the Straddle Stack IBH, which is still produced at our Wisconsin Dells facility today.
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Our love for forklifts is robust, but at Big Joe, we are also hyper vigilant about forklift safety. Our staff recently underwent company-wide forklift certification training to prevent any mishaps in our own warehouse and to educate our employees on not only how to operate a forklift but also how to do so safely.
In the United States, an estimated 34,900 serious injuries and 85 fatalities occur annually due to forklift accidents. In addition, an estimated 62,000 non-serious injuries occur each year, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
These accidents and incidents are 100% avoidable with proper training and precautions. It is impossible to stress just how dangerous these machines can be, given their weight and the heavy loads they can carry.
Another aspect of forklift safety is the common misconception that propane and lead-acid batteries are safe for working environments. The emissions released into the air in an enclosed space can be harmful to the operator's health for obvious reasons. Additionally, maintaining lead-acid batteries poses serious safety risks, and the need for eyewash stations is a clear indication that safer alternatives are available. Big Joe's fleet of electric forklifts eliminates these costly and potentially dangerous hazards.
Forklift safety tips:
- Drive at safe speeds
- Avoid abrupt stops
- Pedestrians always have the right-of-way
- Don’t pick up other riders
- Be aware of the fork position
- Keep right / in lane
- Watch out for blind spots
- Slow down and beep your horn when you turn corners
- Keep alert to floor conditions
- Keep the load level and stationary when in motion
National Forklift Safety Day is June 10! Register here for free, livestream presentations by experts on forklift and industrial safety, from 9 to 11 a.m. Hosted by the Industrial Truck Association. Click here to register!