The forklift safety booklet.

WorkSafe Victoria has launched new industry guidance material to highlight the dangers of forklifts in the workplace.

John Merritt, the Victorian state government-owned organisation's executive director, said forklifts had killed 54 Victorians since 1985. The most recent death was at Laverton in April, when a man was struck by a forklift's falling load.

"A medium-sized forklift weighs about the same as the average dump truck. They can cause the same amount of damage and injury [but] the surprising thing is that some workplaces still do not understand this simple message," Merritt said.

Data from a three-year project at the Monash University Accident Research Centre, which investigated ways to improve forklift safety, forms the basis of the new guidance material.

"The guidance material builds on [information] already produced by WorkSafe, manufacturers and the industry. It demonstrates the need for people to be aware of the consequences of breaching workplace health and safety laws," Merritt said.

"Safety is a team game. If something goes wrong, everyone is the loser."

Topics covered in the guide include facts and risks about forklift stability, information on loading and load handling, traffic management, reducing risks and selecting a forklift.

A 24-page booklet, titled Forklift safety - reducing the risk of instability, is available online at www.worksafe.vic.gov.au. Printed copies can be obtained by calling +613 9641 1933.