An Australian government agency has found a majority of surveyed businesses using forklifts have breached workplace safety laws.

The Chronicle reported Australian Capital Territory (ACT) WorkCover's inspectors of forklift operations surveyed 102 retail, wholesale and transport businesses and found a lack of compliance with the Occupational Health & Safety Act 1989.

Businesses also failed to comply with the ACT Certification of Plant Users and Operators' Regulations.

ACT WorkCover commissioner Erich Janssen said the safety campaign revealed serious forklift safety issues, including poor maintenance, excessively worn tyres and a lack of pre-operational checks.