Why is it important to balance loads on the forks?

Balancing loads on the forks of a forklift is crucial for ensuring stability and preventing tipping. When a load is balanced correctly, the center of gravity remains within the footprint of the forklift, which helps maintain stability during lifting, lowering, and transporting. An unbalanced load can shift and cause the forklift to topple over, endangering the operator, other workers, and the materials being moved. Proper balancing minimizes the risk of accidents and enhances safety on the job site, which is a primary concern in material handling operations.

In contrast, while speeding up the lifting process, increasing weight capacity, or enhancing visibility might seem beneficial, they do not address the fundamental safety and operational efficiency provided by a balanced load. Proper load balancing is a key safety measure in forklift operation.