Forklifts are heavy machinery that allow us to move and organise massive or oversized items within our area of operations.
If not properly handled or driven without proper training, your forklift may cause severe injury or even death. In this article, we'll give you five safety tips to help you use your machine safely.
Tip 1: Train your operators.
The first step in practising safe forklift operations is training your operators. Even before they touch your machine, your workers need to be prepared to operate your forklift safely and be guided on how to act accordingly if the machine moves or manoeuvres unexpectedly during emergencies. It will also help if you familiarise your operators with handling different types of forklifts to build their skills.
Tip 2: Maintain your forklift.
A faulty machine can be the cause of serious injury. Make sure you and your operators check the status of your forklift before and after use to ensure breakdowns are mitigated, and safety is maximised. Regular check-ups for these areas are a must.
• Seat belts
• Tyres
• Lights
• Horns
• Brakes
• Backup alarms
• Fluid levels
• Moving and load-supporting parts
If you or your workers find worn-down signs and faults during your inspection, wait until it is fully repaired before resuming operations.
Tip 3: Observe the rules while operating.
Your operators must always abide by safe operating habits while using your forklift. During their training, you must educate them on proper operating procedures like driving at the appropriate speed, using mirrors and spotters for visibility, and using headlights when operating at night or in dimly-lit areas.
Tip 4: Remember the "stability triangle."
Forklifts operate on a three-point suspension system. These support points form what is known as a "stability triangle", which starts at the two front wheels and ends in between the rear axle. To avoid tipping over, operators must always stay inside this triangle and keep their loads within or near it. While operating your forklift, keep in mind these five things:
• Always check if your load is stable and safely secured before driving.
• Do not carry loads that are too heavy or beyond your forklift's carrying capacity.
• Drive slowly, especially when the floors are wet and slippery.
• Turn corners with care.
• Try to avoid making any abrupt stops and starts.
Keeping your load within the stability triangle is crucial when carrying heavy loads with your forklift. Always take care and observe these tips to avoid tipping your machine.
Tip 5: Load your forklift safely
Proper loading can be the most crucial part of operations. Improper loading can cause you to break or lose your products or even cause workplace accidents and death if done incorrectly. Before loading, always assess the dimensions of your load, the terrain's stability, and your machine's.
Some useful loading tips include:
• Slightly tilting your forklift's upright backwards.
• Moving the forks apart before loading.
• Lifting the load at least 4 inches above the lowest stack.
• Keeping the heaviest loads at the bottom and the lightest on top.
• Lowering the forks first while placing the load before backing away.
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