Discussion:
Forklift Horn Use

While it is recommended and required to use the forklift horn in operation within the OSHA guidelines; when is excessive horn use not acceptable?

Is there such a thing? Can a forklift operator come up behind a scissor lift extended 30 ft in the air and keep sounding the horn multiple times?

OSHA recommends a couple of quick bursts of horn to let pedestrians around know there is a forklift near by, around the corner, below aerial equipment, etc.

Is it really acceptable for the forklift operator to sound his horn more than two/three times because he cant pass?

I have read some articles that excessive horn use can cause confusion and desensitization to the horn. Is this true and what else can be contributed to this argument?

What is the concensus, I am curious.
  • Posted 26 Jul 2024 23:58
  • By garysonelectric
  • joined 26 Jul'24 - 1 message
  • California, United States
Showing items 1 - 3 of 3 results.
this sounds like a question only AI can answer ,providing it considers the natural stupidity issue that some in the industry consider overwhelming.
  • Posted 29 Jul 2024 23:28
  • By Dexter1212
  • joined 30 Nov'21 - 65 messages
  • Texas, United States
Don't think you will get a consensus of opinion on this.. Horn use is dependent on the work environment. Some operations are very noisy - like stamping and forging operations and ear plugs may be requireds. Some operators just want to be obnoxious on certain days and like to express this to the world. Have seen operations where electric forklift are used and they put bell ring in the steering wheel hub to make a noise as the forklift are too quiet. Some folks install beepers on the lift any time the lift is moving.

Good Luck in you task.
  • Posted 28 Jul 2024 17:38
  • By johnr_j
  • joined 3 Jun'06 - 1,452 messages
  • Georgia, United States
"Have An Exceptional Day!"
Don't think you will get a consensus of opinion on this.. Horn use is dependent on the work environment. Some operations are very noisy - like stamping and forging operations and ear plugs may be requireds. Some operators just want to be obnoxious on certain days and like to express this to the world. Have seen operations where electric forklift are used and they put bell ring in the steering wheel hub to make a noise as the forklift are too quiet. Some folks install beepers on the lift any time the lift is moving.

Good Luck in you task.
  • Posted 28 Jul 2024 17:36
  • By johnr_j
  • joined 3 Jun'06 - 1,452 messages
  • Georgia, United States
"Have An Exceptional Day!"

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Global Industry News
edition #1244 - 21 August 2025
In our feel good story for the week, we report on a donation from Wisconsin-headquartered Big Joe Forklifts to the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s College of Engineering, after discovering the institution was still using one of its 1960s walkie stackers... Continue reading
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