Search

Forklift Safety: How Much Weight Can My Forklift Carry?

Posted on 3/6/2012 by James Griffin

Q. How can I tell how much weight my forklift can carry?
 
A. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) protects workers in the workplace. This includes safe operations of powered industrial trucks (PITs), commonly called forklifts. The complete set of rules for these can be found under the Materials Handling and Storage section of OSHA regulations at 29 CFR 1910.178.
 
At 29 CFR 1910.178(o)(2), OSHA states that “only loads within the rated capacity of a truck shall be handled.” The rated capacity can be found on the “data plate” located on the forklift. You can see an example data plate below.
 
Forklifting Warning Label
 
There are several important numbers on the data plate, which include the rated maximum capacity (shown with the left arrow) as well as the load center (shown with the right arrow).
 
The load capacity is fairly straightforward. You should never attempt to lift more than the rated capacity, which on this plate is 5,000 lbs.
 
The load center, on the other hand, is the center of gravity for the load and, according to this data plate, should not be greater than 24 inches. It would not be good to have a center of gravity larger than this, because if the center of gravity is too far forward, the forklift can tip forward. This could cause the load to fall off or even possibly cause the forklift to fall over.
 
You can actually have a center of gravity larger than the one listed on the data plate, but this will force you to carry a lighter load. You can calculate a new load limit by using a simple formula, as follows:
 
Rated load center / Actual load center x Rated capacity = New safe load capacity
 
For instance, let’s say our load actually had a load center of 28 inches. Using the equation, we can figure out the new rated capacity.
 
24 inches / 28 inches x 5,000 lbs. = 4,286 lbs.
 
To view OSHA’s complete rules on PITs, click here.
 

Tags: osha

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

I like Lion's workshops the best because they really dig into the information you need to have when you leave the workshop.

Tom Bush, Jr.

EHS Manager

I can take what I learned in this workshop and apply it to everyday work and relate it to my activities.

Shane Hersh

Materials Handler

I love that the instructor emphasized the thought process behind the regs.

Rebecca Saxena

Corporate Product Stewardship Specialist

This course went above my expectations from the moment I walked in the door. The instructor led us through two days packed with useful compliance information.

Rachel Stewart

Environmental Manager

Attending Lion Technology classes should be mandatory for every facility that ships or stores hazmat.

Genell Drake

Outbound Lead

Lion is at the top of the industry in compliance training. Course content and structure are updated frequently to make annual re-training enjoyable. I like that Lion has experts that I can contact for 1 year after the training.

Caroline Froning

Plant Chemist

Lion was very responsive to my initial questions and the website was user friendly.

Michael Britt

Supply Chain Director

I like the consistency of Lion workshops. The materials are well put together and instructors are top notch!

Kevin Pylka

Permitting, Compliance & Environmental Manager

Lion's course was superior to others I have taken in the past. Very clear in the presentation and the examples helped to explain the content presented.

George Bersik

Hazardous Waste Professional

The instructor took a rather drab set of topics and brought them to life with realistic real-life examples.

Tom Berndt

HSE Coordinator

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

A guide to developing standard operating procedures, or SOPs, that help you select, manage, and audit your hazmat agents and contractors.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.