Your teams handle all sorts of materials across this nation – retail product, raw materials, vehicles, food, and for some of you, hazardous materials.

Hazmat is a topic we haven’t covered too much in the past. But it’s important. Critically important. 

So, we’re closing out the year with a three-article series on hazmat handling: 

1. Safe Transport
2. Storage for Hazmat Types
3. Rack/Shelving for Hazmat

Let’s start off with transporting hazardous materials. Using material handling equipment to move hazmat from one location to another. Safely!

If your team has handled hazmat before – Let this be a reminder.

If your team hasn't handled hazmat – Make sure hazmat is covered in team safety training, but this article can serve as a quick reference.

Common Types of Hazardous Materials

First, let’s address what types of hazmat operators would typically encounter. Forklift operators dealing with hazmat should expect to see: 

1. Liquid fuels
2. Chemicals
3. Heavy metals
4. Gas cylinders
5. Waste materials
6. Sharp-edged material, and
7. Heavy-loaded containers

Materials like this present more risk to the operator and the facility than almost any other material. Corrosion affecting a forklift, floors, or personnel. Toxic fumes infiltrating a workspace. Explosions, chemical spills, risk of crushing. Even radiation exposure (at least one of our customers has handled nuclear waste!).

With this in mind, we’ve laid out hazmat transport recommendations below in three parts – Before Transport occurs, During Transport, and After Transport/Ongoing Safety.

These recommendations map out safe procedures for operators and their teams. You may recognize some of your own procedures here—if so, we’re glad your teams are staying safe!

Before Transport: How to Prepare for Loading Hazmat on Forklifts and Moving It

1. Operators must hold a valid commercial license with hazardous materials endorsement and receive relevant training.
2. Use equipment that will not strain under the load. If you have a 2,500lb. Hazmat load, use a forklift at least able to carry 3,000lb.
3. Map the route beforehand. No routing through spaces where the forklift may encounter sparks, metal dust, or electricity.
4. Operators should refer to the correct regulator's safety standards before loading.
   1. DOT – Requirements for transporting materials
   2. OSHA – Regulations for handling chemicals
   3. EPA – Regulations on disposal of pollutants & hazardous waste
   4. NRC – Requirements for transporting radioactive materials
5. Inspect forklift tires before selection.
6. Inspect safety harnesses before applying them.
7. If necessary, due to hazmat dimensions/weight, use a specialized container like a hopper to secure the materials.

During Transport: Safe Forklift Operation with Hazardous Load

1. Everyone involved in operation AND everyone along the transportation route must have PPE gear ready.
   1. Basic PPE: Eye protection, gloves, hard hats, reflective vests, and steel-toed boots
   2. Material-dependent: Coveralls (or full-body hazmat suits), respirators, corrosion-resistant rubber gloves
2. Use a clean forklift (ideally one that's just been serviced). This can avoid potentially flammable stains on the exterior, loose wiring, or any component that may drag on floors or walls.
3. Brake test before loading.
4. Never overload any piece of equipment. You're creating a point of failure by doing so.
5. No unauthorized passengers.
6. Operator MUST follow the agreed-upon map to destination.
7. If driving hazmat off truck, slow to lowest safe speed while navigating ramps.
8. Use signage and personnel to keep the route to destination clear.

After Transport/Ongoing Safety

1. Keep operator safety training current, for hazmat handling as well as standard operation. Training needs to address:
   1. Loading/unloading
   2. Spill cleanup process
   3. Storage area ventilation, organization, inventory management (more on this in a later issue)
   4. For reference, the U.S. Department of Transportation publishes their hazmat training requirements here: Hazmat Transportation training Requirements – US DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PDF)
2. Keep all hazmat containers properly packaged & labeled.
3. If the material is in a liquid state, keep a spill kit nearby.

Planning is Always Key to Safe HazMat Transport

Again, we want these articles to serve as a reminder. Operating with and around hazardous materials carries some of the highest safety risks possible. With training & careful planning, your team can reduce the risk to almost zero.

Next month’s newsletter will address safe storage for various hazmat types. Following that, we’ll address good rack & shelving for keeping hazmat stable in warehousing & distribution.

Until next month!
-The Forklifts Group Team

Deal of the Month

2025 Bobcat G30N LPG - $35,297

Bobcat’s running a special rebate right now. Take advantage of it with Bobcat forklifts at Forklifts Group!

These are G30N-7LP pneumatic-tire forklifts. Each has a load capacity of 6,000 lbs. on a three-stage mast. They’re all brand new, so no hours on them at all.

The rebate varies between new Bobcat models*. For these forklifts, the Bobcat rebate reduces the price to $35,297 – a $4,000 savings!

(If you’re interested in another model, please contact us & ask about it.)

*Rebate expires at the end of November 2025.

To get this Deal, call Forklifts Group at 800-464-3225 and ask for the October Deal of the Month.