Inspecting your Fork Truck for Safety
A fork truck, like any industrial equipment, should be used with care. Not like a car, a fork truck is steered from the rear wheel and therefore has a different center of balance. Anybody using a fork truck and everybody working within the vicinity of this particular machine needs to understand workplace safety guidelines and safe operating measures.
Safe operation of a forklift prior to using it would include a visual inspection. Fluid leaks and worn tires are potential dangers that an operator should inspect. The lifts, forks and the overhead guard must be thoroughly checked. The safety handle must be utilized when the forklift is being mounted.
The alarms, lights and horns should be inspected to ensure that they are working properly. Gauges and monitors must be adjusted correctly. The seat must be adjusted and safety belt fastened before starting the truck.
Taking careful turns and choosing a lower rate of speed would help the operator avoid tipping the machinery. If the load blocks the operator's vision, the truck should be driven in reverse gear. Be alert of the location of any obstacles and pedestrians when driving.
in order to prevent any possibility of injury, the operator must always sit within the cage enclosure and keep all the body parts inside. The forks must be kept several inches above the floor while driving. Never lower or raise lifts while you are driving or the truck might become unstable. Never allow anybody to walk under lift when the engines are running.
Basic driving safety includes stopping at intersections and watching for approaching traffic. It is really a great idea to sound the horn periodically and before proceeding when operating within aisles. That way, you would alert any approaching person to your presence.