Using a Standard Counterbalance lift truck
1 Perform a pre-shift inspection before utilizing the equipment. Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines state that a pre-shift checklist must be carried out at the start of every work shift. Every different machine as well as its attachments has its own checklist listing steering, brakes, lights, emergency brakes, horn, controls and safety features.
2 When starting up the machine and check the controls, it is important to make sure that the seatbelt is fixed firmly and the seat has been adjusted for your maximum comfort. Look beneath the machine after you move it for any signs of leaks. The operation of each kind of lift truck is different.
3 The basic operation of a vehicle is really compared to a standard motor vehicle. The forklift has a rear end swing of the forklift occurs because the truck steers utilizing its rear wheels. Forgetting this fact is a major cause of accidents and injuries to employees. The nearly 90-degree turn from the front wheels must be made with utmost caution. These top-heavy equipment have a high center of gravity even without a load. When moving or lifting a load this top-heaviness is exacerbated.
4 Keep forks close to the floor when traveling. Utilize care when approaching loads. Be certain the forks line up properly with the pallet. Lift the load just as high as is necessary, tilting it back to help stabilize the equipment. Drive backwards only if the load is very big that it interferes with the vision of the operator.
5 Before loading and unloading, check the wheels on trailers/trucks. When carrying a load, it is not advised to travel on slopes. The machinery could tip over on a slope. When driving on a slope is unavoidable, always drive up the slope and back down. The load should be kept on the uphill side of the truck.
6 The lift truck operator should always be in firm control all the time. Tipping over is the primary cause of operator injuries. The driver must never try to jump out of the truck in case of a tip-over. The safest approach is to lean away from the direction of fall while gripping the steering wheel and bracing your feet.