Hand Truck & Forklift Safety

Forklifts

Pre-Use Inspection

Only forklift operators may operate the forklift.
Do not use the forklift if any of the following conditions exist:
the mast has broken or cracked weld-points;
the roller tracks are not greased or the chains are not free to travel;
the forks are unequally spaced or cracks exist along the blade or at the heels;
hydraulic fluid levels are low;
the hydraulic lines and fittings have excessive wear or are crimped;
fluid is leaking from the lift or the tilt cylinders;
the hardware on the cylinders is loose;
the tires are excessively worn or split, or have missing tire material;
air filled tires are not filled to the operating pressure indicated on the tire; and
the batteries have cracks or holes, uncapped cells, frayed cables, broken cable insulation, loose connections or clogged vent caps.

Starting the Forklift

Apply the foot brake and shift gears to neutral before turning the key.

Picking Up a Load

"Square up" on the center of the load and approach it straight on with the forks in the travel position.
Stop when the tips of your forks are about a foot from the load.
Level the forks and slowly drive forward until the load is resting against the backrest of the mast.
Lift the load high enough to clear whatever is under it.
Back up about one foot, then slowly and evenly tilt the mast backwards to stabilize the load.

Putting a Load Down

"Square up" and stop about one foot from the desired location.
Level the forks and drive to the loading spot.
Slowly lower the load to the floor.
Tilt the forks slightly forward so that you do not hook the load.
When the path behind you is clear of obstructions, back straight out until the forks have cleared the pallet.

Stacking One Load on Top of Another

Stop about one foot away from the loading area and lift the mast high enough to clear the top of the stack.
Slowly move forward until the load is squarely over the top of the stack.
Level the forks and lower the mast until the load is no longer supported by the forks.
Look over both shoulders for obstructions and back straight out if the path is clear.

Forklift Safety Rules

Do not use bare forks as a man-lift platform.
Approach railroad tracks at a 45 angle when driving the forklift.
Steer the forklift wide when making turns.
Sound the forklift horn when approaching blind corners, doorways or aisles to alert other operators and pedestrians.

Lifting

Do not exceed the lift capacity of the forklift. Read the lift capacity plate on the forklift if you are unsure.
Follow the manufacturer's guidelines concerning changes in the lift capacity before adding an attachment to a forklift.
Lift the load an inch or two to test for stability; if the rear wheels are not in firm contact with the floor, take a lighter load or use a forklift that has a higher lift capacity.
Do not raise or lower a load while you are en route. Wait until you are in the loading area and have stopped before raising or lowering the load.
After picking up a load, adjust the forks so that the load is tilted slightly backward for added stability.
Raise the forks an additional two inches to avoid hitting or scraping the ramp surface as you approach the ramp.

Driving

Obey all traffic rules and signs.
Drive with the load at a ground clearance height of 4-6 inches at the tips and 2 inches at the heels in order to clear most uneven surfaces and debris.
Drive at a walking pace and apply the brakes slowly when driving on slippery surfaces such as icy or wet floors.
Do not drive into an area with a ceiling height that is lower than the height of the mast or overhead guard.
Do not drive up to anyone standing or working in front of a fixed object such as a wall.
Do not drive along the edge of an unguarded elevated surface such as a loading dock or staging platform.
Do not exceed a safe working speed of five miles per hour. Slow down in congested areas when driving the forklift.
Stay a minimum distance of three truck lengths from other operating mobile equipment.
Drive in reverse and use a signal person when your vision is blocked by the load.
Look in the direction that you are driving; proceed when you have a clear path.
Do not drive the forklift while people are on the attached man-lift platform.
Drive unloaded forklifts in reverse when going up a ramp and forward when going down a ramp.
Drive a loaded forklift in a forward gear when going up a ramp. Upon approaching the ramp, raise the forks an additional two inches to avoid hitting or scraping the ramp surface.
Do not attempt to turn the forklift around on a ramp.
Do not use a gear for the opposite direction of travel as a means to slow down or stop the forklift.
Lower the mast completely, turn the engine off and set the parking brake before leaving your forklift.

Loading Docks

Keep the forklift clear of the dock edge while vehicles are backing up to the dock.
Do not begin loading or unloading until the supply truck has come to a complete stop, the engine has been turned off, the dock lock has been engaged and the wheels have been chocked.
Do not drive the forklift into the truck until the bridge or dock plate has been attached.
Do not drive the forklift into a truck bed or onto a trailer that has "soft" or loose decking or other unstable flooring.
Drive straight across the bridge plates when entering or exiting the trailer.
Use dock lights or headlights when working in a dark trailer. Warehouse Safety

Docks (non-forklift)

When stocking shelves by hand, position the materials to be shelved slightly in front of you, so you do not have to twist when lifting and stacking materials.
Visually inspect for sharp objects or other hazards before reaching into containers such as garbage cans, boxes, bags or sinks.
Remove or bend nails and staples from crates before unpacking the crates.
When cutting shrink wrap with a blade, always cut away from you and your co-workers.
Do not try to kick objects out of pathways. Push or carry them out of the way.
Do not let items overhang from shelves into walkways.
Move slowly when approaching blind corners.
Place heavier loads on the lower or middle shelves.
Remove one object at a time from shelves.
Place items on shelves so that they lie flat and do not wobble.

Hand Truck Operations

When loading hand trucks, keep your feet clear of the wheels.
Do not exceed the manufacturer's load rated capacity. Read the capacity plate on the hand truck if you are unsure.
Place the load so that it will not slip, shift or fall. Use the straps, if they are provided, to secure the load.
For extremely bulky or pressurized items such as gas cylinders, strap or chain the items to the hand truck.
Tip the load slightly forward so that the tongue of the hand truck goes under the load.
Push the tongue of the hand truck all the way under the load that is to be moved.
Keep the center of gravity of the load as low as possible by placing heavier objects below the lighter objects.
Push the load so that the weight will be carried by the axle and not the handles.
If your view is obstructed, ask a spotter to assist in guiding the load.
Do not walk backward with the hand truck, unless going up stairs or ramps.
When going down an incline, keep the hand truck in front of you so that it can be controlled at all times.
Move hand trucks at a walking pace.
Store hand trucks with the tongue under a pallet, shelf, or table.

Pallet Jack Use

Only pallet jack operators may operate pallet jacks.
Do not exceed the manufacturer's load rated capacity. Read the lift capacity plate on the pallet jack if you are unsure.
Do not ride on pallet jacks.
Start and stop the pallet jack gradually to prevent the load from slipping.
Pull manual pallet jacks; push them when going down an incline or passing close to walls or obstacles.
If your view is obstructed, ask a spotter to assist in guiding the load.
Stop the pallet jack if anyone gets in your way.
Never place your feet under the pallet jack.

Orderpicker

Only orderpicker operators may operate orderpickers.
Do not operate an orderpicker without the operator's safety belt or lanyard in place.
Do not remove the safety belt or lanyard when the orderpicker is in the raised position.
Do not allow personnel to stand under the orderpicker while it is in the raised position.
Drive the orderpicker at a walking pace.
Do not drive with the orderpicker in the raised position.