Safety Training Presentations

FORKLIFT OPERATOR SAFETY TRAINING

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 Forklift Safety Hazards
• Forklifts are very heavy
– Average automobile - 1,000 - 2,000 lbs.
– Average forklift - 4,000 - 8,000 lbs.
• Loads can be heavy
– Too heavy to lift by hand
• Forklifts or their loads can be unstable
– Forklifts can roll over easily
– Loads can fall off forks or cause roll over

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 Pre-Use Inspections
• Inspect forklift before each use
– Don’t know condition left in by last user
– Not inspecting the forklift prior to use could
lead to a hazardous situation or cause serious
damage to the forklift and/or the load

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 Pre-Use Checklist
• Brakes • Forks
• Steering • Engine/Drive Motor
• Horn • Tires
• Lights • Misc.
• Oil – Cage
• Coolant – Seat belt
– General overall
• Battery/LP Tank
condition of the forklift
• Hoist

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Pre-Use Inspection - Lift Mechanisms
• Inspect mast for damage
– Broken or cracked weld point

• Make sure roller tracks are greased and free

• Check hydraulic lines and fluid levels

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Pre-Use Inspection - Lift Mechanisms
• Inspect all lift and tilt cylinders
– Leaks
– Mounting hardware

• Inspect tires
– Excessive wear
– Proper inflation (if not solid rubber)

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 Propane Tank Inspection
• Inspect cylinder for damage
• Cracks and broken weld points
• Inspect
• Valves, nozzles and hoses
• Be aware of flammability
• Three ways to detect leaks
• listen for gas escaping
• smell odor
• look for frost on the coupling

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 Changing Propane Tanks
• No smoking!
• Shut off cylinder valve before turning off
forklift to reduce pressure in the fuel line
– Liquid propane is approx. -40 degrees
• Wear heavy duty rubber gloves
• Wear safety glasses
• Make sure pressure relief valve points
straight up when replacing the tank

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 Battery Charging
• Inspect batteries for worn parts and cables
• Beware of acid
– No smoking
– Wear faceshield, goggles, apron, rubber gloves
– Only add water after charging
• Make sure charger is off before disconnecting the
battery
• Remove all jewelry
• Use hoist or roller system when replacing

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 Capacity Plates
• Must be on all forklifts
– If missing or illegible, replace
• Information found on capacity plates
– Model #
– Max load weight
– Max lift height
– Serial #
– Manufacturer information

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 Starting the Forklift
• Apply the foot brake
• Shift gears to neutral
• Turn the key
• Check gauges and indicators
• Check controls, steering and brakes for
smooth operation

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 Operating the Forklift
• Know locations and functions of all controls and
gauges
• Be aware of what is going on around you
• Be aware of potential problems with the forklift
• Be sure path of travel is free from hazards
• Traveling speed in doors should not be any faster
than a quick walking pace

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 Handling and Moving Loads
• Check the Capacity Plate to be sure the forklift
can handle the load
• Check the load for weight and stability
– If load is not marked
• Contact distributor/shipper of the load
• Lift the load 1-2 inches to test the stability of the rear wheels
and the forklift
• If the forklift struggles, set the load down and if possible break
load into smaller, more manageable loads

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Stability Triangle

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Stability Triangle
• The closer the center of gravity (CG) is to line BC the
more stable the forklift is
• The closer the CG is to lines AB or AC the more unstable
the forklift becomes
• If the CG ever goes outside the stability triangle, the
forklift can tip
– Loads too heavy or offset
– Taking corner too fast
– Traveling surface is not level

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 Fulcrum Point
• The front wheels of the forklift are the fulcrum point
– The rear of the forklift has counter weights to help off set the
weight of the load
• Unloaded forklift is unstable - all the weight is in the rear
– When the forks are loaded the weight of the forklift and load are
more evenly balanced
• Loaded forklift is more stable
– When the load out weighs the counter weight the forklift can tip
forward when the load is raised

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 Tipping Forklift
• What should you do?
– Must be wearing seatbelt
• Will keep you from falling out of caged area
– Hold tightly to steering wheel with both hands
• Keep hands and arms inside caged area
– Plant feet flat on floor and press down
• Keeps body stable and keeps legs in caged area
– Lean in opposite direction

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 Handling and Moving Loads
• Picking up load
– Approach the load straight on with the forks in
the travel position
– Stop when the fork tips are approx. 1 foot away
from the load
– Level forks and drive slowly forward until load is
against backrest
– Lift the load high enough to clear what is under it

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 Handling and Moving Loads
• Picking up load (cont.)
– Look over both shoulders to make sure you are
clear and slowly back out one foot
• Sound horn before backing if can’t clearly see
behind you
– Slowly tilt mast back to stabilize the load

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Handling and Moving Loads
• Setting down the load
– Drive to location, square up to load area and
stop about one foot away
– Level the forks and slowly drive forward
– Lower the load
– Tilt the forks slightly forward
– Look over your shoulders and back straight
out until the forks clear the load

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 Stacking and Unstacking
• Lifting a load
– Approach the load slowly with the forks in the
travel position
– Stop approx. one foot away from the load and
raise forks to correct height
– Level forks and drive forward until load is flush
against backrest

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 Stacking and Unstacking
• Lifting a load (Cont.)
– Lift high enough to clear the bottom load, look
over both shoulders to see if clear to back and
slowly back straight out
– After clearing top of stack, stop and lower mast
to travel position
– Tilt forks back
– Proceed to destination

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 Stacking and Unstacking
• Stacking a load
– Approach placement area slowly and square
– Stop about one foot away and lift mast high enough
to clear the placement area
– Move forward slowly until the load is square over
the stack
– Level the forks and lower the mast until the load is
resting on the stack
– Slowly back straight out

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 Stacking and Unstacking
• Additional tips
– Never lift a load while moving
– Stop completely before raising the mast
– Make sure the top load is squarely stacked on
bottom load
– Always approach and leave the load area
slowly
– Always look over shoulders before backing up

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 Driving with a Load
• Travel with load tilted slightly back for stability
• Travel with the load at the proper height
• 4-6 Inches at fork tips
• 2 Inches at heels
• Drive in control
• Drive in reverse if you cannot see over the load

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Driving on Inclines - Ramp/Slope
• Always drive with the heavier or less stable end of
the forklift pointing up the incline
– If the forklift is loaded (heavier/less stable in front)
• Drive forward up the incline with the load
• Drive in reverse coming down the incline with the
load pointed up the incline
– If the forklift is not loaded (heavier in rear)
• Drive forward down the ramp
• Drive in reverse going up the ramp

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 Stopped Forklift
• When Parked or unattended
– Forks flat on ground
– Turn off engine
– Set parking brake
– Do not block:
• Exits
• Emergency equipment
• Signs or postings

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 Pedestrians
• Pedestrians have the right of way
– Slow down at intersections
– Look before backing
– Use horn when coming around blind corners and at
blind intersections
– Check mirrors at intersections if they are present in
workplace
• Pedestrians must be cautious in areas where
forklifts may be operating

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 Conclusion
• Forklifts are more hazardous than most people
usually perceive them to be
• Pre-use inspections must be performed before
each shift
• It is important to understand how the load will
affect the stability of the forklift
• The operator must always be on the look out for
hazards and pedestrians

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