Forklift Truck – Safe Operating Guidelines

Forklift Truck – Safe Operating Guidelines

• Only trained and authorized persons should drive fork trucks.
• Conduct a pre-startup inspection check.
• If truck must be operated with driver in a standing position, he should stand firmly on both feet.
• Don’t drive with wet or greasy hands. You could lose steering control.
• Look to the front and rear before starting.
• Face in the direction of travel.
• Only carry loads for which the truck is designed and rated. Check the load plate before picking up a load
• Look backwards before reversing.
• Recheck brakes with the first load, and when changing to heavier loads. Never drive with faulty brakes. Report them immediately.
• Avoid sudden stops, starts and turns. These could spill the load. Maintain a safe speed.
• Stop at doors, corners, exits, etc. when vision is obscured and sound horn. Sound it, also when approaching other personnel.
• Drive slowly on wet or slippery surfaces, and rough ground. Cross railroad tracks at very low speed, if possible at an angle.
• Don’t drive with forks raised, keep them just clear of the ground or floor (10 cm – 15 cm) (4 in. – 6 in.) and tilted slightly back.
• Do no drive into an area where there may be flammable or explosive dust or vapors unless the vehicle is designed and approved for such hazardous areas.
• Do not indulge in horse-play or stunt driving or drive with passengers.
• Do not lift a man/woman on the forks or pallet. Use an approved platform that is secured to the lift truck. Worker being lifted must wear safety harness and is secured to platform.
• Raise lifting carriage up and down and check for defects, before lifting anyone in a platform. Check for hydraulic leaks.
• Do not work under suspended loads.
• Keep all parts of the body inside running lines of the truck.
• Before entering elevators make certain they are unoccupied and locked at floor level and able to carry the load. Switch off equipment in elevator, and lower the forks.
• When climbing or descending inclines, the load should always be uphill. Drive down an incline when not carrying a load.
• Do not park on an incline. Never leave truck unattended without lowering platform or forks, setting brake, neutralizing controls, shutting off power and removing ignition key.
• When parking the truck, do not obstruct gangways, exits, or emergency equipment.
• Do not block doorways, fire exits, fire extinguishers, fire hoses, eye wash and safety showers.
• Report all damage to your immediate supervisor at once.
• Remove key immediately upon noticing defects. Brakes, hydraulics leaks etc.
• Conduct pre-startup inspection at the beginning of each shift.
• When mounting/dismounting, always maintain 3 points of contact (eg. 2 hands, 1 foot)