A tip-over is an event in which a forklift loses stability and overturns, sideways or forward, often trapping or crushing the operator or people nearby.
NIOSH’s forklift alert identifies overturns as a major cause of forklift-related deaths. A counterbalance forklift stays upright while the combined center of gravity of truck and load stays inside its stability triangle. Lateral tip-overs usually follow turning too fast, turning on a ramp, or traveling with a raised load; forward tip-overs follow overloading, a load center beyond the rated distance, or hard braking with an elevated load.
OSHA’s guidance for sit-down counterbalance trucks is that the operator should stay in the seat with the seat belt fastened, hold the wheel, brace their feet and lean away from the point of impact, because an operator who jumps can be crushed by the overhead guard or the truck frame. Controls include respecting the data plate, speed limits on turns and ramps, keeping loads low while traveling, good floor conditions, and speed limiting on compatible trucks. See the forklift tipping guide.