This document provides an overview of forklift safety. It discusses the types of forklifts used in construction, including industrial counterbalanced, rough terrain counterbalanced, and telescopic types. It also outlines operator training requirements and safe operating procedures like maintaining awareness of pedestrians, following maintenance checklists, and safely transporting and refueling loads. The document emphasizes the importance of authorization, familiarization with site routes, and adhering to proper lifting, travel, parking, and refueling techniques to prevent accidents.

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FORKLIFT SAFETY
AWARENESS

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INTRODUCTION
Forklifts are very useful for moving raw materials, tools
and equipment in many industries including construction.
But unfortunately, they also feature prominently in work
place accidents. About 1/3 of all transport related
accidents involve lift trucks. These accidents result from a
lack of operator training, poor maintenance and no safe
systems of work regarding lift truck operations.

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SCOPE
As a lift truck operator it is necessary for you to familiarize
yourself with site procedures regarding lift truck safe operation.
 Types of lift trucks
 Lift truck operators
 Medical considerations
 Training
 Testing
 Authorization to operate
 Familiarization with site routes
 Pedestrians / other personnel
 Maintenance
 Daily checks
 Operating a lift truck
 Refueling

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TYPES OF FORKLIFTS
 3 types generally used in construction
 Industrial counter balanced lift truck
 Rough terrain counter balanced lift truck
 Telescopic material handler

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INDUSTRIAL COUNTER
BALANCED TYPE
 Counter weight to balance
 Mast
 Only raise or lower
 Only operate on smooth solid surfaces
 Poor ground clearance
 Usually solid tyres
 Fueled by battery/electric, gas, diesel

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ROUGH TERRAIN COUNTER
BALANCED TYPE
 Similar to industrial type
 Larger pneumatic tyres
 Rough terrain capabilities
 Good ground clearance
 Usually diesel engine

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TELESCOPIC TYPE
 Crane type boom
 Hydraulic power
 Telescopic
 4 wheel drive
 4 wheel steer
 Stabilizers
 Other useful attachments

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LIFT TRUCK OPERATORS
 Selection of operators
 Physical and mental fitness

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TRAINING
 Basic
 Job specific
 Familiarization

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TESTING
 Certification
 Continuous assessment

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AUTHORIZATION TO OPERATE
 Written permission
 Driver competent
 Set duration
 Lockable ignition
 Key holder

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FAMILIARIZATION OF SITE
ROUTES
 Laydown areas
 Pedestrian routes / crossings
 Other traffic
 Excavations
 Other obstructions
 Gradients
 Unstable surfaces

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PEDESTRIANS / PERSONNEL
 Safe work systems
 Segregation of pedestrians
 Audible warning devices
 Flashing beacon
 High visibility clothing
 Head and foot protection
 Reversing beeper
 Side mirrors

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MAINTENANCE
 Hydraulics
 Brakes
 Battery
 Lights
 Steering
Mast
Chains
Tyres
Operator’s cab

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DAILY CHECKS
 Tyre pressure
 Brakes / hand break
 Horn
 Lights / beacon
 Fuel
Water
Oil
Battery
Hydraulic leaks

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LIFTING AND TRANSPORTING OF
LOADS
 Load weight
 Load security
 Pallets
 Lifting capacity
 Check route
 Over head hazards
Other traffic
Travelling load position
Speed limit
Loading bays
Defective equipment
Emergency exits

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OPERATIONS OF ROUGH TERRAIN
COUNTER BALANCED LIFT TRUCKS
 Tyres
 Slippery slopes
 4 wheel drive
 Bounce
 Parking brake
 Forks position
 Check route
 Operator skill
 Steep gradients
 Site signage

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TELESCOPIC MATERIAL HANDLERS
 4 wheel drive
 Crab steer
 Greater reach for stacking
 More likely to over turn
 Stabilizers
 Telescopic boom
 Automatic load indicators
 Keep door shut
 Safety belt
 Limited visibility

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REFUELING
 Diesel
 Gas
 Electric

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DIESEL FUEL
 Use refueling area
 Turn off engine and use parking brake
 Avoid overfilling the fuel tank

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BATTERY CHARGING
 Change in a well ventilated area
 Use eye protection when making connections
 Have eye wash facilities available
 Have an acid neutralizing agent available
 Don’t over fill the batteries with water

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PROPANE FUEL
 Use refueling area
 Set parking brake
 Turn off fuel valve at cylinder
 Let engine die to purge all LPP from lines
 Disconnect cylinder and remove
 Replace with full cylinder
 Reconnect and turn on valve
 Check for leaks

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“DON'T”
 DO NOT
 Consume alcohol while at work
 Pick up a load if someone is standing close
 Allow people to walk underneath the load
 Try to pick up an unsuitable load
 Leave a lift truck unattended with the engine running
 Carry passengers
 Drive over cables or piping
 Operate with the load raised except at creep speed
 Drive forward is visibility is impaired by a load

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“DO’S”
 DO
 Only issue keys to authorized drivers
 On completion of work, park lift truck in designated area
 Be careful with pedestrians / obey site rules / speed limits
 Sound horn at potential danger spots
 Stop before entering building, sound horn then proceed
 Avoid violent breaking

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“DO’S”
 DO
 Always travel with the forks roughly 150 mm above ground level
 Travel slowly down slopes with the fork facing uphill
 Always use the hand brake when necessary
 Never travel across an incline
 Before you raise a load check over head for obstructions
 Always check for traffic when dismounting