Forklift Truck – Safe Operating Procedure

Forklift Truck – Safe Operating Procedure

Regulatory requirements related to management which have been contributing factors in a number of fatalities and critical injuries involving powered lift trucks

• no part of a load must pass over any worker;
• a lift truck left unattended must be immobilized and secured against accidental movement and forks, buckets or other attachments must be in the lowered position or be firmly supported;
• no load may exceed the maximum rated load and loads must be handled in accordance with the height and weight restrictions on the load chart;
• when a load is in the raised position, the controls must be attended by an operator;
• if an operator does not have a clear view of the path, a signaller who has been instructed in a code of signals for managing traffic in the workplace must be used;
• loads must be carried as close to the ground or floor as the situation permits. Recommended height is four to six inches;
• loads that may tip or fall and endanger a worker must be secured;
• where a lift truck is required to enter or exit a vehicle to load or unload, the vehicle must be immobilized and secured against accidental movement. Special Note – It is the driver’s responsibility to secure his vehicle. It is the lift truck operators responsibility to make sure that it has been secured;
• if the trailer is not attached to the tractor truck, and a lift truck can pass three feet or more past the trailer’s support legs, trailer jacks or some other means of safety supports approved by (Supervisors) must be used to support the front of the trailer;
• a lift truck must not be used to support, raise or lower a worker on a construction site and must only be so used in an industrial establishment site if the work is carried out in accordance with the Regulations for Industrial establishments or the guideline, “Use of Forklift Truck as a Working Platform”;
• barriers, warning signs, designated walkways or other safeguards must be provided where pedestrians are exposed to the risk of collision;
• ensure that in aisles, at loading docks, through doorways and in rooms, overhead and side clearances are adequate to permit safe operation of the truck;
• ensure floors, aisles and passageways are kept clear and free of hazards;
• ensure the workplace is ventilated as to prevent the accumulation of vapors from the refueling and operation of lift trucks.

In addition to the safe operating procedures above, each workplace should develop and implement a set of rules and safe operating procedures to address the specific hazards in their workplace as described below.