Utilizing a Standard Counterbalance forklift
1 Carry out a pre-shift check prior to utilizing the machinery. Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines state that a pre-shift checklist should be carried out at the beginning of every work shift. Each different equipment and its attachments has its own checklist listing brakes, steering, lights, emergency brakes, horn, controls and safety features.
2 When starting up the machine and check the controls, it is vital to make sure that the seatbelt is fastened and the seat has been adjusted for your maximum comfort. Look underneath the machinery after you move it for any signs of leaks. The operation of every kind of forklift is different.
3 Don't forget differences in the basics of forklift operation compared to a regular motor vehicle. The rear end swing of the forklift happens due to the fact that the truck steers utilizing its rear wheels. Disregarding this information is a main cause of accidents and injuries to employees. The almost 90-degree turn from the front wheels must be made with great care. These top-heavy equipment have a high center of gravity even without a load. When moving or lifting a load this top-heaviness is exacerbated.
4 When traveling, keep the forks close to the ground and utilize caution when approaching loads. Make certain that the forks line up with the pallet. Lift the load only as high as is necessary, tilting it back to help stabilize the machine. Drive backwards only if the load is so bulky that it obstructs the vision of the operator.
5 Before loading and unloading, check the wheels on trucks/trailers. When lifting a load, it is not advised to travel on inclines. The machinery is susceptible to tip-overs on a slope. When driving on a slope is unavoidable, always drive up the slope and back down. The load must be kept on the uphill side of the truck.
6 The driver should be definitely in control all the time. The primary reason for operator injuries is tip-over. The driver must never try to jump out of the truck in case of a tip-over. The safest way is to lean away from the direction of fall while holding the steering wheel and bracing your feet.