Safe Lift Truck Operation

1. Safe Lift Truck Operation Basic Lift Truck Safety

2. Disclaimer The information presented in this presentation has been compiled from sources believed to be reliable and is intended to be a tool to assist and guide you in building your own presentation. This program may not address all the hazardous conditions or unsafe acts that may exist. For that reason, SPIN cautions users to confirm accuracy and compliance with the latest standards and best practices. Local, State/Provincial and Federal regulations take precedence over this material. Implementation of any practices suggested by this program is at your sole discretion, and SPIN will have no liability to any party for any damages including, but not limited to, direct, indirect, special or consequential damages, arising out of or in connection with the information provided or its use.

3. Lift Trucks and Accidents • Types of Fork Trucks or Lift Trucks • Electric (E) (ES) (EE) (EX) • Propane (LP) (LPS) • Gas (G) (GS) • Diesel (D) (DS) (DY) • Types of Lift / Fork Truck Accidents • Speeding (leading cause of accidents) • Overhead Obstructions (esp. new drivers) • Pedestrians (some years as much as 31%) • Ultimately Unsafe Acts & Unsafe Conditions

4. Pre-Start Checklist • Any industrial truck in an unsafe operating condition is to be removed from service • Forklift inspections are to be done daily • Defects shall be immediately reported and corrected • Repairs shall be made only by authorized personnel • Know the load capacity, center and weight of the lift truck - Read the nameplate

5. General Inspection Items • Nameplate • Attachments • Lights • Overhead Guard • Battery • Back-Up Alarm • Seat Restraint System • Fuel Line • Tires • Steering • Brakes • Hydraulic System • Horn • Controls • Chains • Mast • Carriage

6. Basic Lift Truck Safety • Nameplate - Know the load capacity • Keep arms and legs within the lift truck • Face direction of travel • No riders • Stay to the right • Obey speed limits • Be aware of overhead clearances • No horseplay • Keep three vehicle lengths from other trucks • Yield to pedestrians

7. Operating the Lift Truck • Maintain a safe distance of at least three truck lengths when following another fork truck • Forklifts shall not be driven up to anyone standing in front of a bench or other fixed object • There shall be sufficient clearance under overhead installations, lights, pipes, sprinkler systems, overhead doors, etc.

8. Operating the Lift Truck • The right-of-way shall be yielded to pedestrians and emergency vehicles • Passing another lift truck is prohibited • Horseplay shall not be permitted • Observe proper re-fueling procedures • Passengers are prohibited on lift trucks • If a load obstructs forward view, the lift truck shall be driven with the load trailing • Cross railroad tracks diagonally

9. Operating the Lift Truck • The operator must keep arms and legs inside the lift truck running lines • Never permit anyone under forks or elevated loads • Never turn on an incline • Maintain a safe distance from the edge of ramps, elevated docks and platforms • Do not block emergency exits or equipment with lift truck or material

10. Moving the Load • Never exceed the maximum load capacity • Insert the forks all the way under the load • Lift high enough to just clear any obstructions - about 4 to 6 inches with no obstructions • Tilt the mast back • Approach loads head on • Check the stability of the load • Use forks at maximum allowable width

11. Moving the Load • When loading or unloading trailers • Set the brakes of the truck • Correctly place the wheel chocks on trailer • Check that weight capacity of the trailer floor • Inspect the condition of trailer floor before entering • Make sure dock plates are secure • Use jack stands when tractors are not present

12. Moving the Load • Keep the load CG close to the front wheels • Never drive with the load raised • Driving around corners or blind spots, stop, sound the horn, proceed slowly • When driving on an incline, Keep the load uphill • Never add extra weight to counterbalance a load • Don't make quick sharp turns

13. Safe Operating Guidelines • Only authorized personnel are operators • Unloaded lift trucks shall be operated on all grades with the forks downward • Loaded lift trucks shall be driven with the load upgrade • Drivers must slow down on wet or slippery floors • Avoid running over loose objects or debris

14. Safe Operating Guidelines • Drive slowly, scan ahead, and be aware of pedestrians • Park lift trucks only in designated areas • When parking a lift truck • Lower the load to the floor • Set the brake • Neutralize the controls • Turn off the lift truck • Use PPE when re-fueling or re-charging

15. As a Safety Professional, SPIN encourages you to submit safety resources that are particularly beneficial to fellow Safety Professionals. We welcome your suggestions and thank you for your input. Please use the following instructions when submitting resources. 1. Please include your full name (first & last) in the subject section of the your email 2. Please include a brief description, name of program and version of any and all files submitted 3. Please use a compression program, like WinZip, when submitting multiple or large files 4 Please include appropriate contact information (name, phone number, etc.) when referring potential new members 5. Include links to safety related URL's in the description section 6. Please send photos and graphic files as 72 dpi jpg, tif or gif files submit all items to:info@spin-safety.org For more information about SPIN visit the web-site at www.spin-safety.org or call 1-800-673-0439