Forklift Safety: A Lifesaving Guide
• Limitations, operation, and adaptation of fork and attachments
• Capacity of vehicle
• Stability of vehicle
• Maintenance and vehicle inspections that will be performed by the operator.
• Charging and recharging of batteries or refueling.
• Limitations of operating.
• Surface conditions
• Load stability
• Pedestrian traffic
• Narrow aisles
• Ramps and sloped surfaces
• Ventilation in closed environments
• Any other potentially hazardous environmental conditions.
Operators who are not adequately trained in forklift operations are at great
risk for injury due to their lack of understanding. All operators should have
knowledge of the principles of physics that allow a forklift to lift heavy loads.
They should also know how to deal with their specific type of forklift and all of
its safety features. Each operator must know how to maintain the vehicle and
be aware of any malfunctioning parts so they do not use it when it is unsafe.
In order to qualify to operate a forklift one must meet certain requirements.
They must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or
equivalency degree. All operators must be able to read and understand
English so they can decipher the labels on equipment and loading
instructions. They must also be able to write legibly. While there are no height
and weight requirements it is important that the operator be mobile enough to
turn and drive backwards without hindrance.
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