Forklift accidents can cause serious injuries or death and costly property damage. However, they can be prevented by following proper safety procedures such as being trained and certified to operate equipment, staying alert, and watching out for others. Safe driving techniques include driving slowly, planning ahead for hazards, and handling loads properly by not overloading and keeping loads stable and balanced. Forklifts require different operating procedures than other vehicles due to their rear-wheel steering and lack of shocks or springs.

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 Forklift accidents cause serious injuries, disabilities or death
 They also cause costly damage to equipment and property
 Forklift accidents can be prevented by:-
 knowing your equipment
 staying alert
 watching out for fellow workers
 learn & follow safe operating procedures

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 THE ANATOMY OF A FORKLIFT

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Only authorised and trained/certified personnel
are permitted to operate the forklift
Licence
Authority
Experience

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PLAN AHEAD FOR SAFETY
 Take care on wet surfaces
 Take note of overhead clearance
 Never block emergency exits
 Be careful on sloping ground
 Watch-out for Pot-holes
 Avoid sharp/fast turns
 Don’t overload forks

7. DRIVE SLOWLY
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 Obey speed limit
 Slow down at blind corners, doorways etc.
 Always Start / Stop Gradually
 Watch-out for Pedestrians
 Sound the horn if somebody approaches

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 Know the forklift capacity – SWL?
 what is its SWL?
 is it painted on the forklift ?
 is the forklift certified ?
 Don’t overload the forks
 Distribute the load evenly
 Keep the forks low while moving
 don’t obscure vision
 Keep the mast tilted back while moving
 Use special care when loading/unloading
 the risk of overturning is greater
HANDLE HEAVY LOADS PROPERLY

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 Don’t allow Passengers to ride on forklift
 Never use forklift as an Elevated work platform
 unless it is equipped with a man-rated safety platform
 Show-off stunts are prohibited
 and will get you terminated
 Never allow an Unauthorized person to drive
 Never leave a load suspended on the forks
unattended
 Never lift objects and work under forks
suspended
 if a problem occurs, you will be crushed
DON’T FOOL AROUND

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 They have rear wheel steering
 like driving a car backwards
 They have center pivoted steering axles
 the axle is free to follow the driving surface, extra caution
is necessary on uneven surfaces
 They have NO springs or Shock’s
 the means that driving over bumps,
curbs, holes, or cables
must be done with caution
FORKLIFTS ARE DIFFERENT
FROM OTHER VEHICLES

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 Approach the load slowly
 Have mast in the vertical position
 Manoeuvre the forklift to be at right angles with load
 Space forks to distribute load/weight evenly
 Lower forks, insert equal distance from load’s centre of gravity
 Drive forward until load is against carriage
 When load is properly placed
 Tilt mast back to stabilise load
 Move off slowly, once it is safe to do so
LOADING TECHNIQUES

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 Keep forks as low as possible at all times
 this will ensure that the centre of gravity is low
 Never
 drive forward with the load obscuring your view
 leave the vehicle running & unattended with a
load on the suspended forks
 use the forklift as a hydraulic hoist to service
vehicles
 exceed the SWL of the forklift
 if the rear wheels come off the ground when lifting a load,
place it down, remove some weight or use a bigger capacity
forklift
 use the forklift for other than what is was
designed for
 Always lower the forks to the ground when
forklift is parked
DRIVING WITH LOAD

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 Manoeuvre forklift into position at right angles to drop -off
 Watch-out for rear-end swing
 Tilt mast to vertical, ONLY when directly OVER spot
 Lower load & back away slowly
 Always check to ensure there are no pedestrians
UN-LOADING TECHNIQUES

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 BEFORE starting any “ work”, check forklift if:
 Warning light is operational
 Reverse / back-up alarm is functional
 Warning horn is sounding
 Fire extinguisher is installed and full
General forklift safety
 brakes
 steering
 seating
 safety cage
 general condition
 CERTIFICATION
 If you don’t thick is SAFE, DON’T Start,
contact your supervisor
FORKLIFT SAFETY

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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
hard hat
safety glasses
safety boots
cotton coveralls
hearing protection
seatbelt ?
protective cage ?
FORKLIFT SAFETY

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If it is a heavy load, use the forklift, save your back
 No Authorisation - NO DRIVE
 Don’t Exceed the SWL of Vehicle
 Don’t Carry Passengers
 Don’t Lift Personnel on Forks or On Pallet on forks
 use man-basket only
 Ensure all Warning devices are working
 Ensure Safety Devices are available
 Don’t use forklift as a Hydraulic Hoist
 you’ll end up squashed and dead !
Summary

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Work together as a TEAM
to prevent this from happening
to one of us / you !
FORKLIFT SAFETY

20. Forklift SafetyTraining Course 20

21. Thank you…
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