Utilizing a Regular Counterbalance forklift
1 Perform a pre-shift inspection prior to utilizing the equipment. Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines state that a pre-shift checklist should be done at the start of every work shift. Each different equipment together with its attachments has its own checklist listing emergency brakes, lights, brakes, steering, horn, controls and safety features.
2 Start up the machinery and check controls. Primarily ensure your seatbelt is fastened and the seat is securely in place and adjusted for your comfort. Look beneath the equipment after you move it for any indications of leaks. The operation of every kind of forklift is different.
3 Don't forget differences in the basics of lift truck operation as opposed to a regular motor vehicle. The rear end swing of the forklift occurs because of the fact that the truck steers with its rear wheels. Disregarding this information is a main cause of accidents and injuries to employees. The nearly 90-degree turn from the front wheels must be made with utmost caution. These top-heavy equipment have a high center of gravity even without a load. When lifting or transporting a load this top-heaviness is exacerbated.
4 When traveling, keep the forks near the floor and use care when approaching loads. Make certain that the forks line up with the pallet. Lift the load only as high as is needed, tilting it back to help stabilize the equipment. Drive backwards only if the load is so bulky that it obstructs driver vision.
5 Before unloading and loading, check the wheels on trailers/trucks. When carrying a load, it is not advised to travel on inclines. The machine is prone to tip-overs on an incline. When driving on a slope is unavoidable, always drive up the slope and back down. The load must be kept on the uphill side of the truck.
6 The driver should be firmly in control at all times. The main reason for operator injuries is tip-over. The operator should never try to jump out of the truck in case of a tip-over. The safest way is to lean away from the direction of fall while holding the steering wheel and bracing your feet.