The Victorian Government has launched a state-wide blitz on forklift safety and will inspect 500 transport operators' sites.

Government safety unit WorkSafe's executive director John Merritt called on transport operators to lift standards to reduce "appalling" forklift injury and fatality rates.

"Since 1985, 48 Victorians have lost their lives in forklift incidents. Many hundreds more have been seriously injured, with about 10 near misses for every fatality," he said.

"Transport fatalities and injuries are preventable. About 500 operators will be visited (by WorkSafe officers) over coming months, because no one should die at work."

Angela Jennings, whose husband, Jim Giannakis, was killed in a forklift accident in January 2000, spoke at the launch. Mr Giannakis left his forklift after a collision and it ran over him. "I know many of the unsafe conditions which led to Jim's death still occur every day in workplaces," Ms Jennings said.