michael h -

The definitive answer to your original question is NO! You will have to take another path.

The Western Australia Commission for Occupational Safety and Health has issued a Guidance Note - Working Safely with Forklifts. A guidance note is defined as: "A guidance note is an explanatory document providing detailed information on the requirements of legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice or matters relating to occupational safety and health, as approved by the Commission"

On page 7, in Section 2.5, Safe design - considerations; Western Australia is very specific about holes in forks:

"holes must not be drilled or cut through the fork arms as this destroys the integrity of the fork arms;"

Google: GUIDANCE NOTE - WORKING SAFELY WITH FORKLIFTS

A new revision is in process as the current guidance note contains training data based upon the original time line for Australian National Licensing. The current version should still be available for download.

Forklift instructors/trainers outside of Western Australia should also consider reviewing this guideline as it has good forklift safety information.