Forklift Operator Safety

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Overview

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Session Objectives You will be able to: Understand how forklifts work Operate a forklift safely and skillfully Identify operating hazards Apply general principles of safe operation Properly inspect and maintain a forklift

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Why Forklift Training Is Necessary 100 fatalities each year 20,000 lost workday injuries annually Common injuries Hitting a pedestrian Tipping over Falling from raised forks Falling from a ladder struck with a forklift Falling material Training reduces injuries

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Regulatory Requirements According to 29 CFR : Operator must receive training before operating a forklift Demonstrate competency Forklift characteristics Operating environment Inspection and maintenance

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Forklift Components

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Forklift Basics Image Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Forklift Characteristics Different from driving a car Rear of a forklift swings in opposite direction of the turn Forklift impact against objects magnified Driven backward as well as forward One hand on controls Image Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Nameplate OSHA requires a legible nameplate It includes information about fork modifications and attachments It lists the maximum load capacity It describes the load center Image Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Determine a Load’s Center of Gravity Center of gravity is the balance point Load center is the point where the heaviest part of the load is located Pick up loads at the shortest distance from the edge of the item to the item’s center of gravity and load center Image Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Stability Triangle Stable forklift without a load Stable forklift with maximum load Unstable forklift with offset maximum load

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Combined Actions Center of gravity (COG) side to side COG forward COG backward Combination of two can cause tip-over

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Image Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services Attachments Change operating clearances Change capacity Change stability and load center

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Operating Hazards— Pedestrians Forklift accidents involving pedestrians may be caused by: Obstructed view Turning Speeding Pedestrian unaware forklift is present Carrying passengers and horseplay

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Operating Hazards— Environmental Conditions Operating nonelectric forklift in poorly ventilated area Traveling on ramps Crossing railroad tracks Slippery floors Operating on dirt or gravel Poor lighting

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Operating Hazards— Load Carrying Load-carrying hazards include: Working around loading docks Loads that block the forward vision Stacking and unstacking on racks

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc What’s Wrong Here? Identify the hazards

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Forklift Characteristics and Hazards—Any Questions? Any questions about the characteristics or basic features of a forklift? Any questions about the stability of forklifts? Any questions about the hazards specific to our workplace?

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Conduct a Preoperational Inspection Conduct a preoperational inspection Follow the inspection checklist Complete and sign the checklist

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Inspection Walkaround Check that the forklift is properly disengaged—forks down, key off, neutral gear, parking brake on Check left and right side—tires, lug nuts, axle, overhead guard, and no debris behind the mast Check front—forks, hoses, fork pins, backrest, mast, and chains Check rear—counterbalance and radiator

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Inspection Walkaround (cont.) Propane-powered forklift Check all oil and fluid levels Check fan belt, fan, and radiator Check tank, hose attachments, and tank clamp Electric-powered forklift Check the battery condition

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc While in the Operator Seat Make nonmoving checks—gauges, lights, horn, backup alarm, warning light, tilt-and-lift mechanism, and parking brake Make moving checks—seat belt, running brakes, and steering Look for oil or water leaks on the floor

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Operating a Forklift Authorized operators only Quickly report accidents Always wear seat belts No person under the forks Operate controls only from driver’s seat Never block exits or emergency equipment

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Tip-Over Safety Procedure Always wear your seat belt Hold onto the steering wheel Brace your feet Lean away from the fall Image Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Loading and Unloading Never overload the forklift Check the weight of the load Locate the load’s center of gravity Inspect the load Restack unstable loads Tow from the rear towing pin Image Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Traveling Look in the direction of travel Keep body inside cage Keep forks low when traveling Sound the horn Don’t speed Check clearance Image Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Traveling (cont.) Avoid loose objects or holes Never carry passengers Pedestrians always have the right-of-way Keep a safe distance from the edge of ramps or docks Never eat or drink No horseplay

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Ramps and Railroads No turns on a ramp Load facing upgrade Go slow Cross railroad tracks diagonally Never park within 8 feet of the center of railroad tracks

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Docks Inspect the dock plate Check the trailer floor condition Make sure trailer wheels are chocked Ensure that the nose of the trailer is supported by the tractor or a fixed jack

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Parking Don’t block exits or aisles Lower the forks Set gear to neutral Set the parking brake Turn off the key

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Propane Refueling Highly flammable gas—do not smoke Report leaks immediately Distinct odor Hissing sound Frost on fittings Use gloves and safety glasses

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Battery Charging Charge batteries only in protected areas with ventilation Inspect battery connectors for damage No smoking Immediately clean up electrolyte spills Battery electrolyte is highly corrosive—wear PPE

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Inspection, Operation, and Maintenance—Questions? Inspection procedures? Operating procedures? Vehicle maintenance?

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Key Points to Remember Facility hazards include pedestrians, environmental conditions, and loading/unloading Position loads close to the vertical backrest Always conduct and document a preoperational inspection Follow the safe operating rules of the road Always refuel/recharge in ventilated areas and wear proper PPE