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Forklift Safety
PRE-USE INSPECTION
 Only forklift operators may operate the forklift.
All operators must complete the operators daily checklist
before use.
Do not use the forklift if any of the following conditions
exist:
1) The mast has broken or
cracked weld-points.
2) The roller tracks are
not greased or the chains are not free to travel.
3) The forks are
unequally spaced or cracks exist along the blade or at the
heels.
4) Hydraulic fluid levels
are low.
5) The hydraulic lines
and fittings have excessive wear or are crimped.
6) Fluid is leaking from
the lift or the tilt cylinders.
7) The hardware on the
cylinders is loose.
8) The tires are
excessively worn or split, or have missing tire material.
9) Air filled tires are
not filled to the operating pressure indicated on the tire.
10) The batteries have cracks or
holes, uncapped cells, frayed cables, broken cable
insulation,
loose connections or clogged vent caps.
STARTING THE FORKLIFT
Apply the foot brake and shift gears to neutral before
turning the key
PICKING UP A LOAD
"Square up" on the center of the load and approach it
straight on with the forks in the travel position
Stop when the tips of your forks are about a foot from the
load
Level the forks and slowly drive forward until the load is
resting against the backrest of the mast
Lift the load high enough to clear whatever is under it
Back up about one foot, then slowly and evenly tilt the
mast backwards to stabilize the load
PUTTING A LOAD DOWN
"Square up" and stop about one foot from the desired
location
Level the forks and drive to the loading spot
Slowly lower the load to the floor
Tilt the forks slightly forward so that you do not hook
the load
When the path behind you is clear of obstructions, back
straight out until the forks have cleared the pallet
STACKING ONE LOAD ON TOP OF ANOTHER
Stop about one foot away from the loading area and lift
the mast high enough to clear the top of the stack
Slowly move forward until the load is squarely over the
top of the stack
Level the forks and lower the mast until the load is no
longer supported by the forks
Look over both shoulders for obstructions and back
straight out if the path is clear
FORKLIFT SAFETY RULES
Do not use bare forks as a man-lift platform
Approach railroad tracks at a 45 angle when driving the
forklift
Steer the forklift wide when making turns
Sound the forklift horn when approaching blind corners,
doorways or aisles to alert other operators and pedestrians
LIFTING
Do not exceed the lift capacity of the forklift; read the
lift capacity plate on the forklift if you are unsure
Follow the manufacturer's guidelines concerning changes in
the lift capacity before adding an attachment to a forklift
Lift the load an inch or two to test for stability; if the
rear wheels are not in firm contact with the floor, take a
lighter load or use a forklift that has a higher lift
capacity
Do not raise or lower a load while you are en route; wait
until you are in the loading area and have stopped before
raising or lowering the load
After picking up a load, adjust the forks so that the load
is tilted slightly backward for added stability
Raise the forks an additional two inches to avoid hitting
or scraping the ramp surface as you approach the ramp
DRIVING
Obey all traffic rules and signs
Drive with the load at a ground clearance height of 4-6
inches at the tips and 2 inches at the heels in order to
clear most uneven surfaces and debris
Drive at a walking pace and apply the brakes slowly when
driving on slippery surfaces such as icy or wet floors
Do not drive into an area with a ceiling height that is
lower than the height of the mast or overhead guard
Do not drive up to anyone standing or working in front of
a fixed object such as a wall
Do not drive along the edge of an unguarded elevated
surface such as a loading dock or staging platform
Do not exceed a safe working speed of five miles per hour.
Slow down in congested areas when driving the forklift
Stay a minimum distance of three truck lengths from other
operating mobile equipment
Drive in reverse and use a signal person when your vision
is blocked by the load
Look in the direction that you are driving; proceed when
you have a clear path
Do not drive the forklift while people are on the attached
man-lift platform
Drive unloaded forklifts in reverse when going up a ramp
and forward when going down a ramp
Drive a loaded forklift in a forward gear when going up a
ramp; upon approaching the ramp, raise the forks an
additional two inches to avoid hitting or scraping the ramp
surface
Do not attempt to turn the forklift around on a ramp
Do not use a gear for the opposite direction of travel as
a means to slow down or stop the forklift
Lower the mast completely, turn the engine off and set the
parking brake before leaving your forklift
LOADING DOCKS
Keep the forklift clear of the dock edge while
vehicles are backing up to the dock
Do not begin loading or unloading until the supply truck
has come to a complete stop, the engine has been turned off,
the dock lock has been engaged and the wheels have been
chocked
Do not drive the forklift into the truck until the bridge
or dock plate has been attached
Do not drive the forklift into a truck bed or onto a
trailer that has "soft" or loose decking or other unstable
flooring
Drive straight across the bridge plates when entering or
exiting the trailer
Use dock lights or headlights when working in a dark
trailer
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