National Forklift Safety Day
June 9
About National Forklift Safety Day
National Forklift Safety Day takes place on Tuesday, 9 June 2026. Organised by the Industrial Truck Association (ITA), the day encourages employers, operators, and equipment manufacturers across the United States to focus on the safe operation of forklifts, the value of proper operator training, and the importance of daily equipment checks.
What is National Forklift Safety Day?
National Forklift Safety Day is an annual awareness initiative run by the Industrial Truck Association, the leading body representing forklift manufacturers and suppliers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The ITA represents around 90 percent of forklift manufacturers in the United States and Canada, giving the day considerable weight across the material handling industry. The event serves as a focal point for the industry to educate operators, employers, and the wider public about forklift safety. It brings together manufacturers, safety experts, regulators, and policymakers to promote training, share best practice, and reduce the number of workplace injuries and deaths involving powered industrial trucks.
When is National Forklift Safety Day?
National Forklift Safety Day falls on Tuesday, 9 June 2026. It is held annually on the second Tuesday of June, which means the date shifts slightly each year. The flagship event is traditionally hosted in Washington, D.C., with both in-person and virtual attendance options so that people across the country can take part. Because the date moves, the table below shows when National Forklift Safety Day falls over the next five years.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuesday, 9 June |
| 2027 | Tuesday, 8 June |
| 2028 | Tuesday, 13 June |
| 2029 | Tuesday, 12 June |
| 2030 | Tuesday, 11 June |
Why National Forklift Safety Day Matters
Forklifts are among the most useful machines in any warehouse, factory, or distribution centre, but they are also among the most dangerous when used carelessly. OSHA estimates that roughly 85 workers are killed in forklift-related incidents each year in the United States, with around 34,900 serious injuries and a further 61,800 less serious injuries annually. That works out at an average of about one fatality and 95 serious injuries every single working day.
The most common cause of forklift fatalities is the vehicle tipping over, which accounts for about 42 percent of deaths. Other frequent causes include workers being crushed between a forklift and a fixed surface, being struck or run over, and being hit by falling loads. Crucially, OSHA estimates that around 70 percent of forklift accidents could be prevented if companies adopted more thorough training and safety policies. National Forklift Safety Day exists to close that gap, reminding employers that safety is a daily responsibility rather than a one-off exercise.
How to Get Involved in National Forklift Safety Day
There are many practical ways for businesses and individuals to mark the day and improve safety standards all year round.
- Attend the official event – Register for the ITA’s National Forklift Safety Day programme, which is held in Washington, D.C. and streamed online so teams anywhere can watch the expert presentations.
- Refresh operator training – Use the day to schedule or renew certified forklift training. OSHA requires operators to be trained and evaluated, so this is an ideal moment to check everyone’s certification is current.
- Run pre-shift equipment checks – Demonstrate and reinforce daily inspection routines covering brakes, tyres, forks, hydraulics, and warning devices before any vehicle is used.
- Hold a toolbox talk – Gather your team for a short safety briefing on common hazards such as tip-overs, blind corners, and pedestrian traffic in shared spaces.
- Review your site layout – Walk the warehouse floor to identify pinch points, improve signage, separate pedestrian walkways from vehicle routes, and check that loading areas are clearly marked.
- Update your safety policies – Audit your written procedures, speed limits, and load-handling rules, and make sure new starters understand them from day one.
- Recognise safe operators – Celebrate staff who consistently follow safe practice, reinforcing a positive culture where reporting near-misses is encouraged rather than penalised.
- Share resources online – Spread free safety materials, checklists, and the ITA’s guidance with colleagues and your wider network to extend the day’s reach.
History of National Forklift Safety Day
National Forklift Safety Day was founded by the Industrial Truck Association in 2014. The ITA, which has represented the industrial truck industry for more than 70 years, created the initiative to give manufacturers, dealers, and safety professionals a single, high-profile occasion each year to champion safe forklift use and operator training.
From the outset, the day has combined education with advocacy. The inaugural event was held in Washington, D.C., setting a pattern that continues to this day, with sessions that bring together industry leaders, safety experts, and members of Congress to discuss how training and technology can reduce workplace incidents. Over the years the programme has grown to feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, and demonstrations, all designed to put practical safety knowledge directly into the hands of those who run and operate forklifts.
The 2026 event marks the thirteenth annual National Forklift Safety Day. In recent years the ITA has adopted a hybrid format, combining an in-person gathering with a live virtual broadcast so that businesses across the United States can take part regardless of location. This shift has helped the message reach a far wider audience than the original single-venue event ever could.
Noteworthy Facts About National Forklift Safety Day
- The day was established by the Industrial Truck Association in 2014, with the first event held in Washington, D.C.
- 2026 marks the thirteenth annual National Forklift Safety Day.
- The ITA represents roughly 90 percent of forklift manufacturers across the United States and Canada.
- OSHA attributes about 42 percent of forklift fatalities to vehicles tipping over, making it the single biggest cause.
- An estimated 70 percent of forklift accidents could be prevented through better training and safety policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Forklift Safety Day?
It is an annual awareness day organised by the Industrial Truck Association to promote safe forklift operation, operator training, and daily equipment checks across the material handling industry.
When is National Forklift Safety Day in 2026?
National Forklift Safety Day is on Tuesday, 9 June 2026. It is held every year on the second Tuesday of June.
Who organises National Forklift Safety Day?
The day is run by the Industrial Truck Association (ITA), the leading body representing forklift manufacturers and suppliers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing National Forklift Safety Day with your colleagues, team, and wider network. Use the hashtags #NationalForkliftSafetyDay and #ForkliftSafety2026 on social media. The more workplaces that take safety seriously, the more lives and livelihoods are protected.
Related Awareness Days
- National SAFER Workplace Day – A day dedicated to building safer, healthier working environments for everyone.
- Injury Awareness Week – A week focused on preventing avoidable injuries and supporting those affected by them.
- Drowning Prevention Week – A campaign highlighting how education and awareness can prevent needless tragedies.
Links
- Visit the official National Forklift Safety Day website
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
Featured image: Photo by Pickawood on Unsplash.
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