Forklifts (also known as powered industrial trucks) are used for handling materials, parts, products, tools, equipment, supplies, and maintenance items. Forklifts are efficient for material handling because they are self-propelled, maneuverable, and require only one operator to lift, transport, stack, and unstack material. Forklifts are powered by battery, propane, gasoline, or diesel fuel, and may be used for indoor or outdoor use depending on their fuel source, size, tires, and load capacities.

Under the OSHA standard, only qualified and trained drivers should be permitted to operate a forklift at Iowa State University. Trainees will only be authorized to use the equipment during training sessions when supervised by a qualified operator. To ensure that all forklift operators on campus are adequately trained, EH&S offers forklift operator safety courses in Workday Learning and Canvas (students). If you need assistance, please contact ehstrain@iastate.edu.

Departments that own forklifts are responsible for the proper maintenance and care and for ensuring that only authorized operators use the forklift.

Departments that employ forklift operators are responsible for ensuring operators are trained and evaluated and that forklifts are operated safely.

Forklifts must be inspected by completing a daily inspection checklist before each work shift. Do not use any equipment if any defects are found during the inspection. Any defects should be reported and corrected immediately. If any defect cannot be corrected immediately, the forklift must be taken out of service until it can be repaired.

The Forklift Operator Safety (Workday Learning) classroom training is a one-time requirement unless the operator is involved in a forklift accident or is observed operating the truck unsafely.

The Forklift Driving Evaluation (Workday Learning) training must be completed during initial certification and every three years after that to maintain operator certification. Driving evaluations can only be completed by EH&S or an approved evaluator.

Woman wears safety vest and hearing protection while operating a forklift

Complete the forklift operator evaluation form

Driving evaluations must be completed during initial certification and every three years thereafter to maintain operator certification. Driving evaluations can only be completed by EH&S or an approved evaluator.