forklift safety training - inside.tamuc.edu

Forklift Safety

Training

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-COMMERCE

Department of Risk Management

886-5862

OBJECTIVES

Understand OSHA’s forklift safety requirements and your facility’s policies and procedures

Understand the terms and concepts related to forklifts and other “powered industrial trucks”

Understand basic safety precautions for driving in your facility

Understand proper procedures for safe load handling

Understand safety precautions for special situations, such as mechanical breakdowns and operations in hazardous environments


Forklift Basics

Steering Wheels Driving Wheels

Counterweight Capacities Plate Load Engaging

Device


Fork Lift Daily Inspection

OK Daily Forklift Checklist Not Ok

Overhead Guard

Hydraulic Cylinders

Mast Assembly

Lift Chains and Rollers

Forks

Tires

Battery Check

Hydraulic Fluid

Gauges

Steering

Brakes

Lights

Horn

Safety Seat


Forklift Driving Safety Precautions

Observe all traffic regulations that have been set up by your facility

Look in the direction you are traveling

Stay to the right and Pass on the right

Drive with the load as high as necessary to avoid ground obstructions

Keep your head, hands, and feet out of the lift uprights

Do not drive with wet or greasy hands or feet

Always come to a complete stop before shifting gears

Use horn only as a warning signal

Horseplay and stunt driving are not allowed

General Driving Issues

General Driving

Issues



Always operate your vehicle at a speed that will allow it to stop in a safe manner

Observe all authorized speed limits

Sound your horn at cross aisles or any other obstructed location whether you know people are in the area or not

Slow down when ascending or descending grades

Minimize the pressure on dockboards or bridge plates by driving over them slowly

You should always drive slowly when moving in tight areas such as narrow corridors or when entering an elevator

Maintain a safe speed especially when moving backwards

Speed

SPEED



Always check vehicle clearance before a turn

Forklifts can make sharp turns in tight areas because of rear wheel steering

Always pass on the right of oncoming vehicles

Always maintain a safe distance (three truck lengths)

Do not pass other trucks at intersections, blind spots, or any other dangerous location

When approaching other vehicles at intersections always yield the right of way to the vehicle on the right

Always maintain a safe distance from the edge

Never use forklift for opening or closing freight doors on a trailer

Turn off the vehicle if you will move 25 feet away from the vehicle or the vehicle will not be in view

General Guidelines

GENERAL

GUIDELINES



Pedestrians always have the right of way

Never allow anyone to pass beneath the

elevated portion of a truck at any time

Never drive your vehicle up to a bench or

fixed object

Do not allow bystanders when stacking

loads or when dealing with elevated loads

Never allow anyone to hitch a ride on your

vehicle or to ride the forklift

People

PEOPLE


The Science of Load Handling

Three Basic Limitations

1. A maximum load weight

2. A minimum load stability

3. A maximum lifting height based

on load weight, stability and

forklift design



Two Basic Principles

Fulcrum Point

and

Center of Gravity



FULCRUM

POINT

Fulcrum Point

The “fulcrum point” is

the point at which a

lever pivots.

The weight of your load

is counterbalanced by

a weight at the rear of

the truck.

Overloading your

forklift can cause the

vehicle to tip forward.



CENTER

OF

GRAVITY

Center of Gravity

The Center of Gravity is the

single point about which an

object is balanced.

The center of gravity depends on

the height of the object and the

concentration of weight of the

object.

A load’s center of gravity is:

distance from the back or front of

the fork and distance from the top

edge of the fork

The center of gravity always

moves in the opposite direction

of your movement.


Ten Steps

FORK

Ten Steps to Forklift Safety

LIFTto

Safety

1. Train the operator

2. Load and Unload Correctly

3. Learn the Rules for Batteries and Fuel Tanks

4. Make Routine Checks

5. Drive Safely

6. Don’t Leave a Truck Unattended

7. Keep up With Repairs and Maintenance

8. Watch for Pedestrians

9. Watch Those Ramps, Too

10.Keep It Clean


That’s All FolksAny Questions?


forklift safety training - inside.tamuc.edu

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