Aim Forklift is a special machine used in transporting, lifting, carrying and storing heavy objects in logistics and in all other industrial fields. Our aim in this study is to draw attention to the increasing number of health problems of forklift operators, caused by working conditions and by structural features and usage of the forklift machines.

Material and Method 140 forklift operators working in industrialised cities of Marmara region were included in the study. As a control group, 140 workers from the same working fields and with similar demographic features were included. All the participants were male and married. Necessary ethical permission was obtained. The first section described the demographic properties of the workers; the second and third sections contained the information about health problems of applied questionnaire.

Results The significant differences in this study, which was conducted on a questionnaire basis, were the number of preterm deliveries, FGR (fetal growth restriction), interval to conceive, the number of stillbirths, congenital anomalies and newborn malignancies. In addition, the incidence of musculoskeletal system disorders, chronic diseases and the incidence of being under treatment currently were also significantly higher among forklift operators.

Conclusion Related to occupational environment, structural and functional features of the machines used, physical and chemical risk factors, there is an adverse impact on the health of forklift operators the number of whom are increasing every day because of industrialization. The results have achieved shows that the studies evaluating reproductive health and musculoskeletal system of the forklift operators should continue incrementally.