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Safety Tip of the Week delivered to your inbox each Monday by GrainnetSafety.com
January 23, 2023

 
Forklift Safety
The following are helpful safety tips for safe and compliant forklift operation at your facility.

Pre-Use Inspections
Daily pre-use forklift inspections are required each day the machine is operated.  If its shift work, than every shift must perform their own inspection. This inspection is an opportunity to look for hydraulic leaks, missing chunks of tire(s), damage, forks, control levers, brakes, horn, lights, fire extinguisher (if equipped), safety belts, cages, etc.

Training and Certifications
A common factor in forklift accidents is a lack of or poor forklift safety training. Only trained and certified personnel may operate a forklift, unless for training purposes. Forklift operators are required to have certification training every 3 years, this includes the most experienced operator all the way down to the newest operator.

It takes a lot of practice to become comfortable in the movements of the levers and turning capabilities and each machine can be different.  Forklifts steer from the rear, making them behave differently than regular vehicles that steer from the front. 

Ensuring all operators participate in comprehensive and compliant training can help ensure they understand how to handle the machine, its nuances, and operate safely in the future.


Tips for Forklift Safety
  • Do a pre-use inspection at the beginning of the day, report any issues to supervision.
  • Use 3 points of contact when mounting or dismounting a forklift.
  • Put the seat belt on before starting any movement, seat belt is to remain on anytime the forklift is moving (if equipped).
  • Stop at all intersections, crosswalks, and follow signage.
  • Follow speed limits posted or stated the company policy.
  • Put the forklift in neutral and set the parking brake when a pedestrian approaches to talk.
  • Honking is the best way to get someone’s attention if they do not see you.
  • Honk before moving in reverse, if the forklift does not have a reverse indicator.
  • Never hold on to the rollover cage when driving in reverse, unless there is a handle designed by the manufacturer attached.
  • Keep forks as low as possible to improve stability of the load and visibility.
  • Never stick you head out of the confines of the cage to look around the object your carrying, use a spotter if visibility is limited.
  • Drive in reverse if the load carried blocks vision of the pathway.
  • Cross railroad tracks at a diagonal angle after verifying no rail movement is present.
  • Avoid sharp turns as the forklift could tip over.
  • Ensure loads are stable and secure.
  • Never try to jump off a forklift if it is tipping over, hold tightly to the steering wheel, the rollover protection cage and the seat belt will keep you inside the forklift.
  • Passengers are not allowed to ride on a forklift or the forks at any time.
  • No horseplay or misuse of forklifts.
  • Park forklifts in designated locations, make sure to angle down and lower the forks all the way to the ground.
  • Take extra caution traveling on wet surfaces, forklifts are heavy and will take extra time to stop.
    Source:  Glenn Dickey, All-Safe Program Manager at AgriSphere Services, LLC, Decatur, IL: gdickey@agrisphere.com www.agrisphere.com
     
    Safety Tip of the Week is edited by Managing Editor Tucker Scharfenberg
    and published each Monday by Grain Journal, Decatur, IL

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