There is plenty of modern equipment we use today in worksites like warehouses and other large storage facilities to precisely lift and place large, heavy loads with minimal effort. Among them is a forklift, a small yet powerful industrial vehicle that allows one person to move, carry, push, pull, and lift a cargo.
However, learning to operate a forklift is a complicated task. There is a great risk of injury or death if a forklift operator is not appropriately trained to understand the principles behind a forklift, or is not familiar with how a particular forklift operates.
Untrained operators can be as dangerous as an unlicensed operator of a motor vehicle. The National Traumatic Occupational Fatalities (NTOF) Surveillance found that nearly 100 operators are killed every year, and over 20,000 are seriously injured in forklift mishaps. The most common cause of death and injury in forklift accidents is when drivers attempt to jump from an overturning forklift.
This post will discuss some of the tips to ensure the safe operation of a Moffett forklift.
1. Moffett Forklift Certification: There are a few reasons that cause accidents, and one of them is the lack of forklift training. As the forklift is one of a kind vehicle, so will the operation and driving be different. Certification is necessary for driving the forklift to achieve safety.
2. Appropriate Clothes: Not only the regular wearing clothes should be loose and comfortable, but also the protective gear like the hard hat, work boots, work gloves, and the high-visibility jackets should be worn during the whole working day. Loose clothes don’t mean that they are too long that they caught up in the forklift.
3. Understanding the classes: There are seven classes of forklift that are a part of the training program. Each of the forklifts in these categories has different specifications, and they need to be thoroughly understood and studied before an operation. The types of forklift classes are;
- Electric Powered Forklifts
- Narrow Aisle Forklifts
- Internal Combustion Forklifts- Cushion Tires
- Internal Combustion Forklifts- Pneumatic Tires
- Rough Terrain Forklifts
4. Reading the Manual: When you have decided on which forklift you want to operate, it is vital that you read the manual of the selected vehicle. Every detail related to the forklift is mentioned in it, so if you need to avoid accidents and financial damages, then an examination of the guide book.
5. Day-To-Day Inspection: During the Moffett forklift training, the trainees are taught to thoroughly inspect the forklift at the start of the day of the shift. It is necessary because the operators will know in advance if there are any problems. The inspection must include checking of the horns, steering system, lights, brakes, forks, level of fluid, and overall damage to the structure.
6. Blockage in The View: At times, there is no problem in the forklift that you bought from dealers like Bobby Park Truck and Equipment. The issue is when other factors influence the operation. On different occasions, the view of the operator is blocked. The best thing that drivers are to go in reserve.
7. Markings On the Floor: To keep the employees and other people safe when they are around forklift; the management of companies should mark the floors with colorful tape or paint to make the operators and people aware of the area in which the forklift has to be operated
8. Loading Specific Weight: All of the forklifts have their specific features which have to be focused on because any wrong implication can result in severe problems. Be very careful not to put extra load on the forklift that is designed to carry less weight.
9. Maintaining Stability Triangle: Three things are the most important when loading items on the used Moffett forklift. If even one of these points is ignored, then the load on the fork will not be stable. All forklifts have their specifications about the distribution of weight, positioning, and the appropriate size of the items.
10. Keeping up the Right Speed: There are recommended speed limits of every forklift ever manufactured, and maintaining that pace is most essential and taught in forklift safety training. Driving in the normal speed will ensure that the forklift is safe from damage and to others.
11. Emergency Brakes: When the forklift is the stationary position, then it is critical that you put the emergency brakes on the vehicle. It has been observed that even standing forklifts can start to move because the brakes were not initiated.
12. Operator Health: Good health of the operators is essential in the same way as the forklift. Make sure that the operator is well slept and rested. No physical or psychological stress should be on the drivers. Breaks in between the shifts are also vital.
13. Allowing People On the Forklift: Forklifts are mainly used to transport goods from one place to another. They must never be used to take people around; unless you are operating a forklift that is specially designed for the purpose.
14. Fastening the Load Well: Another best thing that can be done to make sure that the forklift is safely operated is to secure the load on the forks. It will not have the goods fall from the Moffett forklift. Do these above – mentioned things and have the forklift operating safely.
Here is our additional checklist to ensure the safety of your forklift operation:
- Make sure the load is stable.
- Do not tilt the forks forward except when picking up or lowering a load.
- Tilt the load backward only to stabilize the load.
- Keep the load low just above the pavement with forks tilted back when traveling.
- Cross railroad tracks diagonally when possible.
- Enter elevators squarely.
- Keep the load uphill when going up or down an incline.
- Drive at a safe speed that allows stopping within the stability triangle.
- Slow down on wet or slippery surfaces.
- Slow down to make turns.
- Avoid driving over loose objects or on surfaces with ruts and holes.
- Check the horn is working and sound the horn at intersections
- Check if the engine show signs of overheating
- Check the tire pressure and damages.
- Check if the steering is responsive.
- Ensure the brakes stop smoothly and reliably.
- Use seat belts
- Operate the forklift only from the operator’s station.
- Allow passengers only if the forklift was designed for a passenger.
- Always look in the travel direction and keep a clear view.
- Always observe speed limits.
- Keep a safe distance between forklifts traveling in front of you.
- Never engage in stunt driving or horseplay.
- Drive the forks under the load.
- Check the destination before placing the load.
- Train to assess the weight of the load to be lifted.
- Never place heavy loads on top of light loads.
- Check for overhead clearance before raising the load.
- Know the blind spots.
- Keep pedestrians away during operation.
- Stop when anyone crosses the route. Lower the load, and wait.
- Wear leather gloves when moving or shifting loads. Wear safety boots to give impact protection.
- Remain alert and prepare for the unexpected.
- Keep hands, arms, head, feet, and legs inside the confines of a moving forklift.
- Stay in the truck in case of overturning.
- Report any collisions, damage, or near-miss incidents to a supervisor immediately.
