Inspecting your Fork Truck for Safety
A fork truck, like any industrial equipment, must be utilized with care. Not like an automobile, a fork truck is steered from the rear wheel and hence has a different center of balance. Anyone working in the vicinity of a fork truck and anyone operating this equipment should know safe operating procedures and workplace safety guidelines.
Safe operation of a fork truck first includes inspecting the truck prior to driving it. Operators should inspect for potential dangers like worn tires and fuel leaks. The forks, lifts and the overhead guard should be checked thoroughly. The safety handle should be utilized when the forklift is being mounted.
To guarantee that they are operating correctly, the horns, alarms and lights must be tested on a regular basis whilst the monitors and gauges might have to be adjusted. Safety belt should be fastened and seat adjusted before starting the truck.
To prevent tipping the machinery, always choose the low rate speed when driving and take turns cautiously. If the load blocks the vision of the operator, the truck must be driven in reverse gear. Always be alert of the location of any obstacles and pedestrians while driving.
in order to avoid any possibility of injury, the driver must always sit in the cage enclosure and keep all the body parts inside. The forks should be kept several inches above the floor when driving. Never raise or lower lifts while you are driving or the truck can become unstable. Never allow anyone to walk under lift when the engines are running.
Basic driving safety includes stopping at intersections and watching for approaching traffic. It is a great idea to sound the horn periodically and before proceeding when operating in aisles. That way, you would alert any approaching person to your presence.