Forklift Safety: A Lifesaving Guide
SAFE OPERATIONS
Along with maintaining the vehicle any forklift operator must use safety
precautions while driving it. You must remind yourself of how dangerous these
vehicles can be and avoid situations that put you and other employees at risk.
This includes any kind of horseplay on or around the equipment. There is
always temptation to fool around and play games at work, but the potential for
disaster is too great to give in to these temptations. Instead operators must
remain completely focused on the vehicle and the job at hand.
At the end of the day, it is the forklift driver who holds the keys to avoiding
disasters. He or she has to understand how the forklift works and how to react
in a given situation in order to avert an accident.. These skilled drivers have to
pay attention to many factors while operating their trucks. One of the things
that must be paid close attention to is the type of terrain on which the truck is
operating. Any loose objects, holes, or bumps on the road surface can cause
a loss of control.
This can cause you to drop the load or sink and destabilize. The surface you
drive on must be rated for four times the amount of weight you will carry. For
example if your forklift weighs 6,000 pounds and is carrying a 4,000 pound
load you multiply the total, 10,000 pounds by four which means the floor must
be able to hold 40,000 pounds. Keep in mind that the weight on forklifts is not
completely even, so if just one wheel goes off onto a surface that is not rated
for that weight it could cause the whole thing to destabilize.
Operator Safety Tips
• Operator should wear the proper restraint at all times.
• Obey all speed limits and stop signs, using extra caution on inclines and
ramps.
• Avoid turning while on ramps or inclines.
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