Forklift Operator – Stability and Capacity

This lesson is designed to provide workers with an awareness of the federal safety regulations for operating a forklift. The curriculum serves as the formal instruction component of forklift operator training, and generally precedes hands-on operator training and site-specific training. The regulations for operating forklifts are outlined in 29 CFR 1910. This lesson will define key forklift stability concepts, explain how to calculate a forklift's capacity, and describe stability factors and guidelines.

Course Overview

This lesson is designed to provide workers with an awareness of the federal safety regulations for operating a forklift. The curriculum serves as the formal instruction component of forklift operator training, and generally precedes hands-on operator training and site-specific training. The regulations for operating forklifts are outlined in 29 CFR 1910. This lesson will define key forklift stability concepts, explain how to calculate a forklift's capacity, and describe stability factors and guidelines.

Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

  • Explain forklift stability
  • Explain how to calculate whether a forklift has the capacity to lift a given load
  • List key guidelines for maintaining a forklift's stability.

Course Topics

  • Stability Triangle and Center of Gravity
  • Calculating Lift Capacity
  • Stability Factors and Guidelines