Safe Operation Forklift Trucks

1. Forklift trucks are to be operated by experienced workers who are trained, certified or licenced as professional operators.

2. Inspect forklift daily. Report all malfunctions to the designated authority. Do not operate an unsafe forklift.

3. Riders are permitted on any forklift.

4. Travel in forward when the load is blocking frontal vision.

5. Watch for overhead obstructions especially when stacking or removing material.

6. Pay attention to pedestrians, they have right the of way.

7. Park a forklift with the controls in neutral, parking brake on and forks in the lowered position. (Motor switch off).

8. It's acceptable for persons to stand under elevated forks.

9. Place the forks as far under the load as possible. Drive with the load against the backrest with the mast tilted back. Be sure that the forks are spaced correctly to support the load.

10. Describe the difference between the "visual pre-start up check" and the "operational pre-use check"

11. When inserting forks into a pallet ensure that the forks are level, as wide apart as possible and all the way under the load.

12. When travelling on level ground raise the forks 15-20cm from the floor and tilt the load backwards so it rest against the load backrest.

13. You can handle unstable loads as long as you drive slowly.

14. Keep the forks pointed downhill without a load.

15. Keep the forks pointed uphill with a load.

16. Do not turn until you are on level ground.

17. When driving in reverse, drive as fast as you can.

18. When parking a forklift there is no need to secure it with the parking brake due to the fact that it is very heavy.

19. Match speed to load and workplace conditions.

20. Do not exceed the recommended load limit of your forklift

21. Add as much weight as you want to counter-balance an overload.

22. Raise and lower the forks at any time when the forklift is moving.

23. Overloading can cause a loss of steering control.

24. Do not lift a load that extends above the height of the load backrest unless no part of the load can slide back toward the operator.

25. When loading and unloading ensure the vehicle's brakes are set and it's wheels are chocked.

26. Back down and drive up hills when loaded.

27. It's okay to tow or push rail cars with a forklift.

28. Do not enter any elevator unless authorized to do so.

29. Check that the height of all entrance doors are adequate to clear the height of the vehicle by at least 5 centimeters.

30. Ensure that dock plates are secure before driving on them.

31. Do not park a forklift within 3 meters of railway tracks.

32. It's okay to open railway car doors with forklift forks.

33. Set brakes, wheel blocks and derailer before entering railway car.

34. Cross railway tracks on a diagonal.

35. Forklift batteries contain sulphuric acid and should be handled by trained and authorized personnel. The produce explosive mixtures of hydrogen and oxygen and should be charged in approved battery charging areas.

36. Neutralize spilled or splashed electrolyte with baking soda solution. Then rinse with clean water.

37. Ventilation is not required in the space where batteries are charged.

38. Unplug or turn the charger off before attaching or removing the clamp connections. Carefully attach the clamps to the battery in the proper polarity. (Red to positive, Black to negative).

39. Inspect for defective cables, loose connections, corrosion, cracked cases and covers, loose hold downs and deformed or loose terminal posts.

40. Use a self leveling filler which automatically fills the battery to a predetermined level. Batter cells should never be filled above the level indicator.

41. Position propane tank so liquid will come in contact with the relief valve.

42. Avoid contact with propane. Rapid vapourization causes frostbite.

43. It's OK to allow propane cylinders to become heated.

44. It's OK to mount more that 2 propane cylinders on a forklift.

45. Exchange removable cylinders outdoors or in a well ventilated area, away from sources of ignition.

46. Wear eye protection and gloves when changing (LPG) cylinders.

47. With cylinder valve closed, run the forklift until it stops. This ensures that the supply hose is empty and it is now safe to change the cylinder.

48. After unscrewing the supply hose nut, inspect the valves for leakage.

49. Once a replacement  cylinder is locked into place, screw the supply hose nut on to the cylinder (do not use metal tools to lighten) and check for leaks.

50. If small leaks are found after installation, resume operation.

51. A daily visual inspection of the forks by the operator is not required.

52. If bent or distorted, forks can't be straightened.

53. Forks are constantly subjected to abrasion by concrete floors, steel shelving etc. This abrasion can reduce the thickness of the fork until it is not capable of lifting to design capacity.

54. Custom designed forks are needed for unusual lifting conditions such as those found in spark-free work areas.

55. Make sure the forklift is equipped with these safety devices: back-up alarm, fire extinguisher and rearview mirror.

56. Forklifts should be painted a high visibility colour, with the back of the forklift striped with reflective tape.

57. Lack of proper training of workers, for those portions of their jobs that involve interaction with forklifts, can lead to accidents.

58. Production factors such as excessive speed can be dangerous.

59. Behaviours such as horseplay, show-off driving and jerky driving are acceptable in large areas where collisions are not likely.

60. Riders are permitted on the forklift or load.

61. Improper servicing of the forklift can cause accidents.

62. Poor communication during shared tasks can cause accidents.

63. Walking or working in the general area of a forklift is not dangerous.

64. Narrow or cluttered aisles can be a potential cause of accidents.

65. Intersections in shelving units or aisles can be dangerous.

66. Poor palletizing or pallets in poor condition are dangerous.

67. Unstable or loads blocking vision are not generally dangerous.

68. Report mechanical malfunctions as they can be safety issues.

69. Lifting loads above the rated capacity of the forklift is acceptable.

70. Noise, odors, toxic gases, dust and poor lighting are all hazards.

71. Forklift exhaust emissions can be very hazardous in confined areas with poor ventilation such as small warehouses.

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