1) All stand-up forklifts used at a location are required to have the same steering direction, either forward or reverse steering.

2) You would never want reverse steering on a sit-down forklift where the operator faces forward. The stereotypical steering for a forward facing operator is like that of a car. A clockwise turn of the steering wheel while traveling forks leading results in a clockwise turn of the forklift. In reverse the clockwise turn of the steering results in a counter clockwise turn.

2) The difficulty with stand-up forklifts is that most are side stance operators and travel the forklifts forks trailing. Crown found the stereotypical correct steering for a side stance operator to be reverse steering. Operators made fewer steering errors because forward was perceived by operators to be forks trailing and therefore a clockwise turn of the steering tiller while traveling forks trailing results in a clockwise turn of the forklift.

3)However it would not be appropriate to have some forklifts with reverse steering and some with forward steering that operators can get on and operate. That would lead to even more steering errors and accidents.

4) There was a serious accident in Kansas City a few years back where all of the forklifts were changed over a weekend from reverse to forward steering. Operators were able to operate the forklifts and "adjust" to the change and it largely worked until an operator was traveling down an aisle and the forklift drifted to one side. The operator (who had operated the forklifts with steering one way for years) steered the forklift to straighten up but really caused it to turn even more and then panicked and steered the forklift under a rack beam and was killed.