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)