A forklift is considered unattended when it is a distance of how many feet from its machine?

• A. 10 feet
• B. 25 feet
• C. 50 feet
• D. 100 feet

Answer: (B)

Distance from the forklift determines whether it’s considered attended or unattended. When the operator is 25 feet or more away from the forklift, the truck is treated as unattended because the operator can’t reliably observe or react to hazards in the work area. This threshold is used because being that far away reduces the ability to respond to movement, loads shifting, or pedestrians, creating a safety risk if the vehicle is left running or not secured. To prevent accidents, standard practice is to secure the forklift whenever it becomes unattended by lowering the forks to the floor, applying the parking brake, turning off the engine, and removing the key. This clear rule helps ensure that, once the operator is out of sight, the machine doesn’t move unexpectedly or pose a hazard to others.