Abstract: Employee #1 worked as a freight handler in a large furniture store. A small forklift was used to move rolls of carpet in the warehouse area. The forklift was being serviced by a contracted service representative who had parked the forklift close to the loading dock because the light was better in that location. When a truck arrived to make a delivery, the serviceman asked Employee #1 to move the forklift. Employee #1 was not familiar with the vehicle and left it in high range while starting it. It took off in reverse at a faster speed than expected and went out the freight door and off the loading dock. No injuries other than bruises were sustained by Employee #1.