More than 614 workers died from forklift accidents between 2011 and 2017. During that same time, there were also more than 7,000 instances of forklift injuries.

One of the most common forklift accidents is when the machine gets overturned. You might be wondering, how could something so powerful tip over? If an operator tries to move something that’s too heavy, it changes the center of gravity which makes the machine lose balance.

The good news is, you can prevent many of these dangerous accidents with an up-to-date forklift data plate. Your operator will know exactly what the forklift can handle, which will keep everyone safer.

Read on to learn whether you need a forklift nameplate and what information should be on it.

forklift diagram with vertical load center and horizontal load center info

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What is a Forklift Data Plate?

A data plate is a tag that shows the specifications details of a forklift. For a forklift operator, this is critical information. He or she can’t safely operate the forklift without reading the forklift capacity data plate.

The forklift data plate contains significant details including truck weight, fuel type, and forklift load capacity.   It tells the operator what sort of loads or maximum weight that particular forklift can handle. That’s why it’s also called the capacity plate. It’s important to not exceed the load capacity, otherwise, the forklift could tip.

When is a Forklift Nameplate Required?

data plates indicating safe maximum lifting capacitiesAll forklifts should have a capacity plate, for the safety of the operator. Additionally, a data plate is required when someone has added attachments or altered the original capacity of the forklift.

If you’ve bought a used forklift, you need to make sure the nameplate information is correct. Some owners add attachments to their forklifts to customize their load capacity. But, if no one updates the data plate, the next operator will assume the load capacity is correct which can lead to an accident.

If you’re unsure if your data plate specs are correct, you should contact a Qualified Registered Professional Engineer for safety analysis. They will evaluate the machine and tell you what you need to update on the data plate.

What Information Should Be on the Data Plate?

While the information on a nameplate can vary, the most important information is the load capacity. This tells you how much weight the forklift can safely handle without changing its center of gravity.

The nameplate should include the weight of the forklift both with and without the battery. It should also include the forklift serial and model numbers. This is the best way for you and technicians to identify your machine.

Nameplates can also include mast and fuel type, tire size, back tilt, lifting height, and load center. Having the fuel type information is important to indicate whether the forklift runs on liquid propane, diesel, electricity, gasoline, or compressed natural gas.

Order Data Plates for Your Forklifts Today

An up-to-date data plate is a major factor in your workplace’s safety. A data plate might seem like a minor detail, but an incorrect or missing plate can lead to a dangerous forklift accident.

Whether you need to order a forklift data plate replacement or an updated nameplate for a new machine, we can help. At Metal Marker Manufacturing, we provide high-quality custom tags and labels for a wide range of industries.

To get more information on our metal nameplate products, fill out our request a quote form.

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