TORCAN LIFT EQUIPMENT

FORKLIFT TRAINING

COMPLETE HANDBOOK

Handbook Objectives

Understand how forklifts work

Operate a forklift safely and proficiently

Identify operational hazards

Apply common principles of safe operation

Accurately examine and maintain a forklift

•Who needs forklift training? – Anyone who wants to operate a forklift

•Who must conduct the training? – An experienced trainer

•Why is training necessary? – Forklifts pose many hazards

• Approx. 200 deaths and 38,000

injuries/year

Forklift Safety Hazards

• Forklifts are very hefty – Average automobile - 1,000 - 2,000 lbs.

– Average forklift - 4,000 - 8,000 lbs.

• Loads can be weighty – Too weighty to lift by hand

• Forklifts or their loads can be uneven – Forklifts can roll-over easily

Checklist Brakes

Steering

Horn

Lights

Oil

Coolant

Battery/LP Tank

Hoist

Forks

Tires

Misc.

– Cage

– Seat belt

– General overall

condition of the

forklift

Forklift Basics

Seat Belt

Lift Control

Overhead Guard

Tilt Control

Forks

Carriage

Backrest

Lift Chains

Lift Cylinder

Mast

Starting The Forklift Apply the foot brake

Shift gears to neutral

Turn the key

Check meters and indicators

Check controls, steering and

brakes for smooth operation

Forklift Controls

A PIT is a PIT

NOT a CAR

Forklift vs. Automobile

• Rear of a forklift swings in opposite direction of the turn

• Forklift waves against articles magnified

• Drives backward and forward

• One hand on controls

Control a Load’s Center of Gravity

• Center of gravity is the balance point

• Load center is the point where the heaviest part of the load is located

• Pick up load on the side closest to its center of gravity

LOAD CENTER

CENTER OF

GRAVITY OF LOAD TOP VIEW OF LIFT TRUCK

CENTER OF GRAVITY

180LB

300LB

Stability Triangle

Vehicle Center of

Gravity (unloaded)

Center of Gravity of

Vehicle and Maximum

Load (Theoretical)

Stability Triangle

What Can Cause a Tip-over?

– Center of gravity

side to side

– Center of gravity

forward

– Center of gravity

backward

Combination of actions or circumstances can cause tip-over

NEVER LIFT BEYOND the rated load capacity of your PIT

Look for Impact or Capacity plate to find:

>engine working capacity

>vehicle weight

>rated load center

>tire information

>attachment identification

>maximum lift height

Load Stability

Ask Yourself To Avoid Hazards

What is the rated load capacity of my truck?

Is this load stable within the capacity limits?

Will stability get affected by shape of load?

Will the load affect my visibility?

Do I need to divide the load?

Do I need to drive in reverse?

What hazards are on the route?

Can I get close enough?

Can I pull straight in easily?

?

Safe Parking Procedures

How and Where to Park?

Attended Parking

Unattended Parking

Parking on an incline

Turn engine off &

remove key Set parking brake

Check on Internal Combustion

Fuel Type

Engine Starting Conditions

Refueling

Changing an LP Tank

Gasoline

Can You Tell What’s Wrong Here?

Forklift is parked on sloped surface

Forks are not fully lowered

Lifting a Load Level the forks and slowly drive

forward until the load rests

against the mast.

Don’t slam a load into the

carriage.

Lift the load high enough to

clear whatever is under it.

Assess the stability of the load.

Tilt the mast back slightly to a

traveling position.

Carrying the Load Never allow anyone to stand on your fork or

lift people without an approved platform.

Never allow anyone to walk or stand under your forks, whether the forks are loaded or empty.

Putting Down a Load Square up and stop about 1 foot away from

the loading area

Drive about 1/2 way into the unloading area

Lower the load, assess alignment, stability

Lower forks slightly

Forklift is properly disengaged

Walk to both sides

Check front

Walk to rear

In Case of a Tip-over

Do not jump from the unit!

HOLD ON TIGHT

BRACE YOUR FEET

LEAN AWAY FROM THE TIP DIRECTION

Our Training Programs

Torcan Lift Equipment offers a wide range of

safety-related training programs to meet your

professional needs as well as the regulations of

the Occupational Health and Safety Act

Forklift Training

Boom Lift Training

Scissor Lift Training

Man Lift Training

W.H.M.I.S Training

Fall Arrest Training

Propane Exchange Training

Want to become a certified

PIT Operator?