As a Forklift Operator, there are a few essential things to remember when operating the forklift, especially when in transit or loading and unloading. Here, we will discuss all safety precautions to practice for specific activities.
Ensuring safety in the workplace and eliminating potential injuries to the people in the workplace is the first thing to keep in mind when doing loading and unloading operations.
- Always wear your seat belt.
- Remember your training- pay attention to the nameplate on the forklift to be aware of the forklift’s rated capacity.
- Use the appropriate lift fixture for the type of load.
- Keep the load stable and centered by proper placement, uneven or loose loads tied, and forks as wide as possible.
- Insert the forks carefully and securely into the pallet. Make sure you don’t damage the materials stacked next to it.
- Drive under the load until it touches the carriage. Tilt the forks back to shift the weight and make it more stable.Keep the heavier end closer to you and tilt the mast back to prevent an unbalanced load.
- Keep it titled before you drive the forklift.
Driving the Forklift with Load
After loading your truck, the next thing is to transport the load to its destination. Driving the forklift to whatever distance is as risky as loading it and appropriate safety rules must also be followed.
- Avoid potential hazards from falling by keeping your forks 6 to 10 inches above the ground.
- Keep in mind that forklifts are top-heavy that loads must be carried low and the mast tilted back.
- Driving on an uneven floor/road can potentially tip your truck over. Drive with caution.
- Placing anything on the overhead guard is not advisable.
- Visual is important. Travel in reverse if something is blocking your front view and always look in the direction you’re traveling. In challenging situations, you can use a spotter to help you.
- Keep your arms and legs inside the forklift. Reaching out through the mast to adjust the load is very unsafe and can cause injury.
- Maintain the position of your forks while moving. Never make it lower or higher while in transit.
- Know when to adjust your driving and speed according to the floor surface and weather conditions.
- Make sure your speed is appropriate when moving but when stopping as well.
Unloading the Forklift
While loading the truck might seem similar to unloading it, unloading comes with safety protocols that operators must follow.
●Unloading in Truck/Trailer
- Before unloading, ensuring the correct positioning of the forklift and forks is crucial.
- When unloading in a truck/trailer, check the inside to make sure the bed is in good condition and the height is appropriate for the unloading to avoid issues or mishandling of the load.
- Another thing to ensure is that the truck/trailer will not move during the unloading process. Make sure the brake is locked, chock the wheels and the dock plate is down and secure.
- Drive in slowly while positioning the load. Tilt the forks forward until it is at the same level as the unloading bed.
- Lower the load gently and release.
●Unloading onto Stack
- Before unloading, ensuring the correct positioning of the forklift and forks is crucial.
- Make sure you get cleared for the overhead before raising the load.
- Raise and position the load to the correct height with 2 inches allowance above the stack and 2-3 inches on the side and back of the load
- Slowly move the load into position. Tilt the load forward, lower it and make sure the forks are no longer tilted before slowly releasing then pull the forks slowly.
After unloading, the following should be followed:
- Check if you’re clear to reverse before doing so. Wait for the backup alarm to sound before slowly backing up.
- Make sure your vision is clear before moving the forklift.
- Stop the forklift and lower the forks, as low as possible, at least 2 to 5 inches above the floor. On uneven terrains, the height should be able to accommodate the uneven ground.
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