Which of the following are common causes of forklift tip-overs?

• A. Only tipping occurs when the forklift is stationary.
• B. Tip-overs are caused by wearing out tires alone.
• C. Tip-overs happen only when the operator ignores the seatbelt.
• D. Overloading beyond capacity, lifting with forks high, turning on slopes or uneven surfaces, traveling with an off-center load, and sudden maneuvers.

Answer: (D)

Forklift tip-overs happen when the load and operator shift the machine’s center of gravity outside its stability base. The most common causes are those that change the load’s effect on balance: overloading beyond the rated capacity, lifting with the forks held high, turning on slopes or on uneven surfaces, traveling with a load that is not centered, and making sudden maneuvers. When the forks are high, even a small movement can move the center of gravity outside the base, and moving on a slope or uneven ground multiplies the risk of tipping. An off-center load changes how weight is distributed, making tipping more likely as the machine moves or turns. Sudden changes in direction or speed put extra lateral force on the vehicle and can push it past its tipping point. The other statements describe single factors or safety gear as the sole cause; while those aspects can contribute to risk, they don’t alone explain the main tipping mechanisms and don’t cover the full set of common causes. So the comprehensive set captures the typical scenarios that lead to tip-overs.