General precautions and rules of using a forklift
April 29, 2021
- Before each shift, examine forklifts for safety purposes.
- Avoid operating a vehicle that requires maintenance or repair (which should be provided by the respective qualified experts).
- Inform the shift supervisor of any identified issues, problems, questions, or concerns.
- Forklifts operate uniquely; since they steer from the rear, the back of the vehicle needs a wide sweep to turn.
- Never leave an operating forklift unattended. Leaving keys in an unattended forklift or leaving the ignition of the vehicle on, is illegal, and has dire consequences as a safety hazard, even without the actual occurrence of an accident.
- Know and never exceed the lifting capacity of the forklift.
- Forklifts must follow designated roadways at the work site.
- Work-site rules and regulations must be adhered to.
- Keep hands and feet away from the cross members of the mast— should the mast be lowered and catch your hand, you’ll suffer from serious injury.
- Forklifts need to be refueled— once they’ve been turned off—at designated and well-ventilated locations.
- Forklifts which are not in use should be carefully parked, with the parking brake applied.
