Fork Lift Safety Instructions and Toolbox Talks

Fork Lift Safety Instructions and Toolbox Talks

Most of the industrial, agricultural, manufacturing and construction Organizations and sectors use forklifts vehicles and such vehicles are highly important and integral worksite vehicles, as long as they are operated and utilized safely and properly by the vehicle drivers who are trained and competent to use them.

More than 30% of injuries are involved in incidents and accidents with the forklifts hit or run over at worksites. (Particularly when the forklift vehicle is in reversing mode) because the operator did not observe behind him properly and most of the objects are invisible. The main and root cause of such dangerous occurrences id due to the bad safety culture within the organization and or by poor supervision and a lack of proper training.

The below described details for forklift safety operations will help you and those you work with stay safe and secure around forklifts driven locations.

A Forklift Truck

A forklift vehicle is a heavy-duty mechanical truck used for multi-purpose tasks e.g., to carry, lift, stack or tier materials. Such vehicles include pallet trucks, rider operated forklifts, fork trucks, or lift trucks. A forklift vehicle can be powered by electric battery or mechanical combustible engines.

The legal requirements for the Forklift truck Operation

Under occupational health and safety legislation, a vehicle is a place of work. The law requires that worksites are managed in a state that is safe, secure and without risk to safety and health illness. All Vehicles must be kept safe, secure and for purpose and the driver must be able to get in and out of the vehicle safely. As for as the Forklifts, they are also are classed as work equipment. The Employers must make sure that operators are familiar with the forklift they are driving and that they have been given proper instruction, information and training to carry out required job tasks and to use the vehicle correctly, safely and, as per the manufacturer’s instructions. The Employers must also make sure that they have a proper glitch reporting system in place so that when a malfunction is found that they are rectified. Employees should never be required to operate under conditions that are unsafe or that do not comply with the applicable law of the state. The Employers must ensure that forklift vehicle are provided in a safe and secure condition for use at the worksite. This can be gained by having a preventative maintenance system (PMS) which includes scheduled checks as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Employees have legal duties to utilize worksite equipment safely in line with procedures developed and implemented by their employer.

⦁ While driving at the worksite, slow down at corners, doorways, and at danger spots, blind spots and or sharp corners.

⦁ Always sound the horn several times when approaching blind corners, exits and entrances.

⦁ Switch off the vehicle and remove the key before leaving the forklift. Place the key in a designated safe location when driving task is cover.

⦁ Apply the parking brake before leaving the forklift after the duty time or end of the shift or during the rest breaks

⦁ Face the forklift and utilize the steps and handholds when getting in or out of the vehicle. Always use three points of contact

⦁ Immediately report any accidents or near misses to a supervisor or other concerned official

Always Practice-Safe Operation

⦁ Wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE). Safety Helmet, Safety Shoes and high visibility clothing are recommended as a minimum when working around forklift vehicles.

⦁ Execute a pre-shift check of the forklift vehicles

⦁ Immediately report defects to supervisor

⦁ Ensure the work road is free of obstructions/blockage

⦁ Always wear operator restraints, where fitted

⦁ Look all around before moving off

⦁ Look at the direction of travel

⦁ Travel at a worksite speed limits

⦁ Always travel with the forks lowered, but ground ahead must be level and free from obstructions.

⦁ Watch out for pedestrians because they are unprotected people

⦁ Avoid immediate stops and frequent braking

⦁ Take care when driving on wet, icy, slippery or loose surface conditions

Never:

⦁ Operate a forklift vehicle unless you are competent and licensed

⦁ Use a forklift you know is not working appropriately

⦁ Operate controls from exterior to the cab, unless it is constructed so you can do this

⦁ Stand on or near the controls of the forklift to reach the load or anything external to the cab

⦁ Suddenly Start or stop

⦁ Make quick turns

⦁ Travel on the uneven ground

⦁ Run over unguarded objects (cables or flexible pipes)

⦁ Try to carry out repairs

⦁ Operate a forklift or any other vehicle when under the influence of alcohol or any medicated drugs.

⦁ Use mobile phones while operating the vehicle

While Carrying Loads

Always:

⦁ Always guess the load capacity before lifting.

⦁ Make sure that pallets or other are in stable and secure condition

⦁ Examine floor loading limits

⦁ Remember the safe working load (SWL) methodology.

⦁ Make sure the load does not block the sight. If it happens, then drive in the forklift in reverse, looking insides of travel

⦁ Make sure there is proper clearance for the forklift and load, including overhead objects or materials

⦁ Make sure the load is not more than the capacity of the forklift

⦁ Make sure the load is stable.

⦁ Carry the load as lower to the ground as possible

⦁ Be sure the fork arms are fully inserted when traveling with a load

⦁ Lower loads at a recommended safe speed

⦁ Make sure the operator is properly trained, certified and licensed

Never:

⦁ Lift loads greater than the capacity of the forklift vehicle

⦁ Move a load that occurs unstable

⦁ Lift load with attachments, unless you are fully trained, certified and authorized to do so

⦁ Travel with a bulky load that hides your sighting

⦁ Leave the forklift with the load raised.

Operating Forklifts on Slopes

Always:

⦁ Travel slowly when going down slopes

⦁ Ensure the forks of the lifter face ascending when traveling up or down slopes with a load

⦁ Ensure the forks of the lifter vehicle face declining when traveling up or down slopes without a load

⦁ Adjust the rake to suit the inclination and raise the forks of the vehicle to clear the ground

Never:

⦁ Turn the forklift around on or travel across a slope

⦁ Leave a forklift vehicle on a slope, exempting emergency. In case of an any emergency always chock the wheels

Driving the Forklift for Carrying People

Always:

⦁ Always use a safe and secure work methodology while working on platforms, i.e. integrated platform.

⦁ Remain in control of the forklift vehicle while the workforce is on the platform

⦁ Watch out for pedestrians

⦁ Use spotters when operating in congested areas

Never:

⦁ Lift a person on the forks or a pallet, or similar, balanced on the forks

⦁ To carry the workforce, unless the forklift vehicle is designed for this

⦁ Allow worker to walk under raised forks of the lifter or loads

⦁ Leave a lifter unattended when a worker is using a non-integrated platform

When you have finished Duty Shift

Always:

⦁ Park the forklift vehicle in a safe and secure place, on the level ground surface.

⦁ Leave the vehicle with the mast tilted forwards and the forks of the vehicle fully lowered, with the tips on the ground

⦁ Apply the parking brakes of the fork lifter, select neutral, switch off the engine and remove the its keys

⦁ Return forklift keys or other activating devices to their place of safe and secure zone area

⦁ Report any malfunctions or defects immediately to a supervisor

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