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In almost every warehouse, yard, or loading dock, someone has said it: “Hop on real quick, I’ll take you over there.”
It feels efficient. It feels harmless. It’s not.
Allowing anyone to ride on a forklift — on the forks, on the load, standing on the side, hanging onto the mast, or sitting anywhere that isn’t a manufacturer-approved seat — is one of the fastest ways to turn normal operations into a medical emergency or a fatal incident.
OSHA is extremely clear on this. Under the Powered Industrial Trucks standard, unauthorized personnel are not allowed to ride on a forklift. If a rider is ever allowed, there must be a safe, manufacturer-provided place for that person to sit or stand, with proper protection. Otherwise: no riders.
This isn’t paperwork. It’s about physics, reaction time, and survivability.
Let’s walk through why.
Forklifts ARE NOT people movers
A forklift is built to lift and move loads — not people.
Unlike a car or utility cart, a forklift:
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Has exposed pinch points and crush zones
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Can tip if its balance shifts
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Has forks and masts that create entrapment points
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Often operates in tight, blind, high-traffic environments
The second you add a person where a person was never meant to be, you create three risks at once:
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Fall risk – The rider falls off.
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Crush risk – The rider gets pinned between the truck and another object.
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Tip-over risk – The added weight changes the center of gravity.
Any one of those can be fatal.
In fact, OSHA documents multiple cases where someone riding on the forks or elevated load either fell, was crushed, or was thrown and did not survive. In one case, an employee was standing on the forks while being transported; when the forklift hit a pole, his leg was crushed between the pole and the fork, and he later died from his injuries.
In another fatal event summarized by OSHA, two employees were standing on a load that had been lifted on a forklift. The load shifted when it was raised — one worker was seriously injured and the other died after being thrown from more than 20 feet in the air.
Those are not extreme, freak scenarios. They’re exactly what tends to happen in normal workplaces when forklifts are used “just this once” to move people.
“It’s just across the warehouse” is not a safety plan
Most forklift passenger injuries happen in everyday moments, not emergencies.
Here’s why those “two-second rides” are so dangerous:
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No restraints. The rider has nothing to hold them in place if the driver brakes, turns, hits a bump, or catches an uneven surface. A tiny floor imperfection can jar the forks enough to throw someone. OSHA notes that even small bumps can shift loads or cause sudden, violent movement.
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No protection. There’s no cage, no guard, no energy-absorbing structure protecting the rider from impact.
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No time to react. Forklifts don’t handle like cars. Braking or steering input can create a sudden swing. A rider doesn’t get warning — they’re just on the ground or in a pinch point.
And if the forklift tips? The operator has a seat, a steering column, and (if used properly) a seat belt that can keep them within the protective zone of the overhead guard. The rider has nothing. Tip-overs are one of the leading causes of forklift-related deaths.
It’s not just unsafe — it’s an OSHA problem
From OSHA’s point of view, letting someone ride on a forklift without a proper seat is a preventable, recognized hazard. The standard specifically prohibits unauthorized riders and says that if someone is allowed to ride, there must be a safe, designated place for them.
Translation:
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“Hop on the forks” = violation.
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“Stand on the load” = violation.
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“Hang on the side for just a second” = violation.
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“We’ve done it for years and nobody got hurt” = not a defense.
OSHA has cited and fined companies after serious injuries and fatalities tied directly to improper forklift use, including untrained/uncertified operation and unsafe practices around riders. In one recent enforcement action, OSHA proposed more than $46,000 in penalties after finding that operators were not properly trained, forklifts were not inspected, and critical safe operating practices weren’t followed.
And fines are just one cost. Forklift incidents in general are responsible for thousands of injuries a year and dozens of worker deaths annually in the U.S.
Beyond that: lawsuits, workers’ comp, lost time, damaged product, and long-term reputation impact.
“Spot me real quick” can become life-changing in seconds
Let’s break down a real-world scenario OSHA investigated:
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An employee rode on the forks of a coworker’s forklift down a ramp.
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The truck struck a fixed object (a metal pole).
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The rider’s leg was crushed between the fork and the pole, causing catastrophic trauma.
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The employee died as a result of those injuries.
That’s not dramatic. That’s literally “ride with me for a second.”
This is why Charleston Forklift Training teaches strict “No Riders” policies. We’re not being difficult. We’re preventing tragedies that are both foreseeable and preventable.
What your policy needs to say
Every company that uses forklifts should have this clearly in writing, reinforced in training, and enforced on the floor:
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No riders on forklifts.
No passengers unless the forklift is specifically designed with an additional approved seat and restraint.
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No lifting coworkers on forks, pallets, or makeshift platforms.
If a person needs elevation, use approved equipment (proper work platform/man basket that is designed for that truck and secured correctly), and follow all required fall protection guidance.
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No “people lifts” for convenience.
Nobody climbs on forks “just to reach something.” Period.
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Supervisors must intervene immediately.
Safety culture lives or dies at the supervisor level. If leadership shrugs, workers assume it’s okay.
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Operators are empowered to refuse.
The operator should never feel pressured to move a coworker, lift someone, or “just make it easier.” If it’s not safe, it’s a no.
The Bigger Picture: Culture
When you allow passengers “just this once,” you’re silently training everyone watching.
You’re telling new hires:
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We bend rules when we’re busy.
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Production beats safety.
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OSHA is a suggestion, not a requirement.
That mindset is exactly what leads to crushed legs, falls from height, under-ride fatalities, and struck-by incidents. OSHA has documented forklift-related deaths where a worker falls, gets pinned, or is struck because basic safety rules weren’t followed.
“Culture” isn’t posters on the wall. It’s what you let happen.
How Charleston Forklift Training helps
Charleston Forklift Training focuses on real-world, in-person instruction that goes beyond “here’s the rule” and explains “here’s why the rule exists.”
Here’s what we deliver for your team:
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On-site training using your equipment.
Your operators learn in your environment — not a generic classroom.
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Hands-on evaluation.
We don’t just talk safety, we observe technique. We correct unsafe habits before they become incidents.
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Clear operator expectations.
We teach operators how to say “no” to unsafe requests, including giving rides or lifting people improperly.
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Compliance confidence.
We align training with OSHA’s Powered Industrial Truck standard (29 CFR 1910.178), including prohibited practices like unauthorized riders, unsafe lifts, and informal transport.
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Documentation and recert tracking.
We provide certification records and help you stay ahead of refresher training and evaluations.
Because here’s the reality: nearly 70% of forklift accidents are considered preventable when standard safety measures — like proper training, inspections, and safe operation practices — are followed.
The bottom Line
Letting someone “catch a ride” on a forklift can feel minor. It is not minor. The injuries are catastrophic. The legal exposure is real. The cost to a human life is permanent.
Your safest move — and OSHA’s expectation — is simple:
No riders. Ever.
If you’re ready to build a culture where that rule is understood, respected, and enforced, we can help.
Charleston Forklift Training provides OSHA-compliant forklift and powered industrial truck training throughout the Charleston area.
We train your people on your equipment, and we keep your team safe.
OSHA standards exist to protect workers and businesses alike. Staying proactive with recertification demonstrates your commitment to safety, reduces risk, and keeps your operation running smoothly.
📅 Ready to schedule on-site training or recertification?
Contact Charleston Forklift Training today to reserve your session and keep your workplace OSHA-compliant year-round.
