Requirements and Recommended Practices

• Use an overhead guard as protection against falling objects such as small packages, boxes, bagged material, etc., but not to withstand the impact of a falling capacity load. [29 CFR 1910.178(m)(9)]

• Wear a hard hat when appropriate for additional protection.

• Keep hands and feet within the forklift to avoid danger of falling loads.

• Use a load backrest extension behind the forks whenever necessary to minimize the possibility of the load or part of it from falling rearward. [29 CFR 1910.178(m)(10)]

• Equip all high-lift rider trucks, order-picker trucks and rough-terrain forklift trucks with an overhead guard manufactured in accordance with ANSI B56.1-1969, "Safety Standard for Low and High Lift Trucks," unless operating conditions do not permit. [29 CFR 1910.178(e)(1)]

• As part of the daily inspection of the forklift, check the overhead guard for broken welds, missing bolts, or other damage.