
Forklifts are excellent labor saving devices. They save time and reduce the likelihood of injury associated with manual material handling activities. However, forklifts can become very dangerous if operated by a reckless or untrained operator. All operators should receive safety training prior to being allowed to operate a forklift.
Forklift accidents tend to be very serious, involving both personal injury and damage to property. These accidents can be avoided if operators use some common sense and follow safe operating procedures. Do not operate a forklift until you have been properly trained and authorized to do so.
𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀
Here are a few common safety rules to follow during forklift operation:
– Use the seat belt. It will keep you secured in the seat in the unplanned event of a tip over.
– A parked forklift should have the forks flat on the floor with the controls set to neutral and with the parking brake set.
– Unattended forklifts should be parked with the power turned off.
– When operating the forklift on inclines, the load should always be on the uphill side of the incline.
– Drive forward going up the incline. Drive backward going down the incline.
– When traveling without a load on the forks, keep the forks approximately four to six inches off the floor.
– Never allow anyone to walk underneath a raised load.
– Stop at all blind corners to check for other traffic in the area. This includes other forklifts and pedestrians. Honk your horn and look before you proceed.
– If carrying a tall load that blocks your forward vision, drive in reverse and turn your head so you can see where you are going.
– If operating around other forklifts maintain a three-forklift length distance between forklifts and never attempt passing.
– Never drive a forklift up to the back of a person who is unaware that the forklift is behind them.
𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗧 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗧𝗬 𝗜𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬𝗢𝗡𝗘’𝗦 𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗙𝗜𝗧