09/01/2026
Warehouse workers experience musculoskeletal disorders at nearly 5x the rate of all private industry. And according to the 2025 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index, overexertion injuries alone cost U.S. employers $13.7 billion per year.
Most of those injuries don't come from a single dramatic incident. They come from hundreds of small lifts where something was slightly off: a drum wasn't fully seated, the attachment wasn't verified, or the load path wasn't clear.
A pre-lift check takes 30 seconds. Here's what it should cover before every drum lift:
1. Confirm the drum type and weight match the handler's rated capacity
2. Inspect the attachment point for wear, cracks, or incomplete engagement
3. Verify the load path is clear of obstructions and personnel
4. Check that the drum surface is dry, clean, and free of damage that could affect grip
5. Ensure the forklift mast and carriage are stable before engaging the drum
That routine turns a reactive safety program into a proactive one. It also gives operators a structured pause before the lift, which is when most positioning errors happen.
When the right equipment is paired with a consistent pre-lift discipline, you reduce injuries at the point where they actually start: the moment before the drum leaves the ground.
