Safety Saturday: Forklift Safety

June 8, 2023

This year celebrates the 10th anniversary of National Forklift Safety Day! The day is observed on the second Tuesday in June each year and is an initiative by the Industrial Truck Association to promote safe forklift use and the importance of operator training. According to the National Safety Council, forklifts were the source of 70 work-related deaths in 2021 and 7,290 nonfatal injuries involving days away from work in 2020. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that over 70% of these accidents were preventable. National Forklift Safety Day is committed to the safety of those who work around forklifts, emphasizing operator training to reduce worker injuries and fatalities.


According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, nearly 20,000 workers are seriously injured in forklift-related incidents annually. Statistically, that means one of every ten forklifts in the US will be involved in an accident every year.


Forklift safety is greatly encouraged to prevent these dangers from happening in the workplace.


  • Only trained and certified workers should operate a forklift.
  • Always operate the vehicle according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  • Always wear a seatbelt when the forklift has one.
  • Keep your arms, legs, head, and feet inside the forklift when driving.
  • Never drive with the forks up.
  • Remove from service any forklift found to be in unsafe operating condition.
  • Do not carry an unbalanced load, nor exceed the rated load.
  • Use proper lockout/tagout procedures when forklifts are not in use.
  • Follow the Halo Rule.
  • Use a Spotter when possible.


The industrial truck manufacturing sector has been an important and active part of the American economy for 100 years. Texas is a state where industrial truck firms have generated one of the highest economic impacts, nearly $2.7 Billion. We can continue to be safe and free from injury by following these tips and by encouraging workers to stay abreast of forklift operator training.

Vogt Engineering Celebrates National Bike Month

By Tiffany Marascio • May 17, 2024
May is National Bike Month, but Vogt Engineering celebrates and encourages biking all year. Our team enjoys using our office bikes to get out and experience nature, taking advantage of our central location in The Woodlands Town Center. About National Bike Month National Bike Month, after many previous iterations, was officially established in 1956. Today, National Bike Month is sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists , which incorporates accessible ways to start biking by hosting smaller experiences such as National Bike to Work Week (usually held the third week of May), and Bike to Work Day (usually that Friday). Health Benefits According to the Harvard School of Public Health , biking can help “improve mental health by lowering stress levels and stimulating feel-good endorphins.” Other health benefits include: improved cardiovascular fitness stronger muscles greater coordination and general mobility reduced body fat Vogt's Commitment to our Team and the Environment One of Vogt Engineering’s major considerations when looking for an office was easily accessible trails for riding bikes and walking. We are fortunate to have found a great place to be with our great team of people. Not only is biking and being outdoors good for mental and physical health, but we value working with the environment in everything we do. Although many civil engineering projects require earth movement, Vogt is committed to finding solutions that complement the natural surroundings of the site. Get Involved There are many local entities that organize Bike Month events, including The Woodlands, Harris County Precinct 3 (at Burroughs Park), and more.

Vogt Engineering Supports Pride Month

June 23, 2023
When hate is loud, love should be louder

Safety Saturday: Motorcycle Awareness

May 27, 2023
As the warmer season revs up, drivers are now more likely to be sharing the road with motorcycles. Motorcycle Awareness Month is observed in May and is a good time to remind drivers to take extra care while sharing the road. Agencies such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the National Safety Council, and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) come together to remind vehicle drivers and motorists that safe driving and riding practices plus cooperation from all road users will help reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on our nation's highways. Did you know more than half of fatal motorcycle crashes result from collisions with other vehicles? Because of its small size, motorcycles can be easily hidden in a car’s blind spots or masked by objects such as bushes or fences while at an intersection. Furthermore, the combination of congested roadways and distracted driving increase the difficulty of seeing motorcycles in traffic. These factors have led to many preventable fatalities each year. On average, more than one motorcyclist is killed on Texas roads every day . In 2022, 562 motorcycle riders were killed in motor vehicle crashes, an 8% increase over the previous year. And another 2,422 people were seriously injured. TxDOT’s annual safety campaign "Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles" aims to protect motorcyclists by educating drivers on how to safely share the road. Below are a few safety precautions all motorists should keep in mind to help prevent motorcycle crashes: Stay alert. Give driving your full attention. Even a momentary distraction, such as answering a phone call or changing the radio station, can have deadly consequences. Pay special attention at intersections. One-third of all motorcycle fatalities happen at roadway intersections. Take extra care when making a left turn. Always assume motorcycles are closer than they appear and avoid turning in front of an oncoming motorcycle. Look twice when changing lanes. Check mirrors, check blind spots, and always use turn signals. Following these safety tips can help save lives and reduce injuries on our Texas roads.
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