LIFT TRUCK SAFETY OPERATOR TRAINING

Transcription

1 LIFT TRUCK SAFETY OPERATOR TRAINING

2 Avoiding Injury One person and a lift truck can move large amounts of material with ease and efficiency. Employers are responsible for training operators in the safe operation of powered industrial trucks. Lift trucks can simplify many material handling tasks. One person and a lift truck can move large amounts of material with ease and efficiency. Lift trucks can also prevent many injuries involving lifting and material handling. If a lift truck is misused or unsafe to operate, it can expose the lift truck operator to serious injury. It can also injure pedestrians and those who work near lift trucks. Lift truck accidents cause about one-tenth of all serious on-the-job accidents each year. Over 2,000 serious injuries occur annually as a result of lift truck accidents. This booklet is not a substitute for OSHA lift truck operator safety training requirements. However, the safety pointers in this booklet are useful reminders for supervisors, operators, pedestrians, employees who work around lift trucks and those who are responsible for lift truck operations. Getting Ready Operator Training (OSHA) Only employees who have been trained and authorized are permitted to operate a powered industrial truck. Employers are responsible for training operators in the safe operation of powered industrial trucks. Lift Truck Basics * Balance: The wheels of a lift truck act as the balance point. They stabilize the truck between the load in front and the counterweight in the rear. A truck loaded beyond its capacity can tip forward or on its side and cause serious injury. * Steering: A lift truck differs from other vehicles in several ways. Most lift trucks are steered by the rear wheels. Lift trucks steer more easily loaded than empty. A lift truck is often driven in reverse, when the operator s forward view is obstructed. It must be steered with both hands, except when one hand is used to operate the controls. Inspection Pre-Start Safety Inspection Use a checklist to inspect a lift truck thoroughly before operating it. (Contact Worldwide for copy). Inspect the brakes, tires, controls, lights, horn and other component parts. Safeguards such as the overhead guard must be in place. If a lift truck isn t working safely, remove it from service immediately and report it to your supervisor. Repairs should be made only by trained and authorized personnel. Load Limits All lift trucks must carry an identification plate that t shows the rated load capacity of the truck. Stay within that capacity. Use a checklist to inspect a lift truck thoroughly before operating it. The information provided in this booklet does not take the place of a certified Driver / Operators Training Program conducted by certified trainer. The information is provided as basic informative information. It is suggested you contact your local dealer or a certified driver training professional. Thank You / Worldwide Wholesale Forklifts.

3 Before you begin loading or unloading, set the brakes and chock the rear wheels so the truck trailer or railroad car can t move. Travel with the load uphill, whether you re going up or coming down. Special Situations Stop, sound your horn and proceed with caution at doorways, blind corners and intersections. Certain lift truck circumstances require extra caution. Backing Always look behind you before you back up. Sound your horn to warn employees of your presence. Then proceed with caution, looking in your direction of travel. Inclines and Ramps Travel with the load uphill, whether you re going up or coming down. Keep a safe distance from the edges of ramps, elevated platforms, docks, etc. Drive slowly down ramps and allow extra room to stop. High Lifts Watch for storage racks, projecting stock and other obstructions as you raise or lower a load. Keep a safe distance from the edges of ramps, elevated platforms and docks. Docks * Make sure the dock-plates are securely fastened before you travel over them. All trucks, trailers and railroad cars must have their brakes set and rear wheels chocked to prevent movement when loading and unloading. Before you enter a disconnected highway trailer, make sure the front end of the trailer is supported by a jack to prevent upending when loading and unloading. Parking Before you leave a lift truck unattended, place the forks flat on the floor and set the controls in neutral. Turn off the engine and set the brake. Don t leave your truck in an aisle or doorway. Make sure it won t obstruct emergency equipment. Your truck is considered unattended if you are more than 25 feet from it or if you can t see it.

4 Follow posted safety instructions for refueling, charging, handling and storage. Safety Objectives Operating a lift truck is an important responsibility. Accident Prevention You must be trained and authorized to operate a lift truck. Always maintain a safe speed and have full control of your lift truck. Use operator safety restraints whenever they re provided. Report any unsafe condition to your supervisor immediately. Refueling Safely Refuel only in designated areas. Follow posted safety instructions for refueling, charging, handling and storage. Working Near Employees Warn pedestrians and other workers of your presence. Yield the right of way to pedestrians. Don t drive your lift truck up to anyone standing in front of a fixed object such as a wall. Be careful of employees when servicing work areas and assembly lines. Yield the right of way to pedestrians.

5 Pedestrian Safety Safety Precautions Trailers Before you begin loading or unloading, set the brakes and chock the rear wheels so the truck trailer or railroad car can t move. Trailers that are not coupled to a tractor should have a jack in place to support the front end of the trailer. This will prevent them from upending during loading and unloading operations. Loading and Unloading Make sure the load is stable before you move it. Move the lift truck carefully into position. Adjust the forks to the width of the load for load stability. Drive forward until the forks are positioned all the way into the load. Brace the load against the fork carriage, the section of the fork that s attached to the mast. Lift the load slightly and back out. Don t maneuver or turn the truck while the forks are in the raised position. Lower the load to within 4 inches of the floor. Tilt the mast back before you travel with the load. Handle only loads that are stable and arranged safely. Stay in the center of the aisle as you travel. Slow and Easy Speed and carelessness can be dangerous when operating a lift truck. Follow these lift truck safety rules. Keep your hands, arms and legs inside the lift truck. Obey posted speed limits and other signs, including aisle markings. Wear personal protective equipment, including head, eye, hand, foot and respiratory protection as needed. Start, stop, travel and brake smoothly, with no sudden or jerky movements. Keep at least three vehicle lengths between your truck and the vehicle ahead. Don t try to overtake and pass other trucks at intersections or blind corners. Be alert for other trucks and low overhead clearances. Stop, sound your horn and proceed with caution at doorways, blind corners and intersections. Use caution when pedestrians are present. Concentrate on operating your lift truck safely, and keep a clear view of where you re going. If the load blocks your view, drive in reverse. Don t let anyone stand or walk under the elevated forks. Don t let anyone ride on the lift truck, and don t use a lift truck to lift people. The only exception is when an approved safety platform is used. As a pedestrian, you must follow these guidelines as you work near lift trucks. Don t try to operate a lift truck unless you ve been trained and authorized by your supervisor. Stay alert for the sight and sound of a lift truck. Don t use short-cuts. Walk only in designated aisles and walk-ways ways. Stop and look both ways before you cross aisles and intersections. Then proceed with caution. Don t walk or stand under the raised forks of a lift truck. Stand clear of lift trucks so the wheels won t run over your feet. Use extra caution around lift trucks. Stay clear of them during loading and unloading operations. The operators are concentrating on their work and may be unaware of your presence. Follow posted instructions in refueling and recharging g areas. Don t smoke near a lift truck that s being refueled or recharged. Watch for the rear-end swing of a turning lift truck. Be on the lookout for lift trucks that are backing up or out. The operator may not be able to see you. Lift trucks sometimes have to work in areas with tight clearances. Stay away from those areas. Lift trucks are designed to handle material, not people. Don t try to ride or hitch-hike on a lift truck, on the truck forks or on the load. It can be dangerous for you as well as for the operator. Remember Lift trucks are not cars. They are complex material handling vehicles and can be dangerous if they re not operated safely. The safe operation of a lift truck is your responsibility. It s your job to follow lift truck safety rules for your safety and the safety of your fellow workers.