Fork Lift Operation

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Fork Lift Operation
29 CFR 1910.178

• By Chaizong Lor, Safety Coordinator

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Fork Lift Operation
Training Objectives

• Forklift truck accidents statistics
• Requirements for Fork Lift Drivers
• Lifts are for Handling Materials
• General Safety Rules
• Drive Safely
• Safety and Operational Checks
• Fork Lift Operation

• Picking Up a Load
• Putting a Load Down
• Safe Unloading of Trailer
• Safe Stacking of Loads
• Fork Lift Stability
• Tips to Avoid Tipping
• Propane Fuel Handling

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Fork Lift Truck Accidents Statistics

• Between 2001 to 2006,
• 21, 190 injuries involving lift trucks were
  reported
• 94 were fatal, 5,758 were major and 15,
  338 resulted to people not being
  able to work for 3-5 days.
• Forklift trucks are involved in 24 of workplace
  transport accidents

Source www.hse.gov.uk
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Requirements for Fork Lift Drivers

• Must posses a valid drivers license and
  be authorized to drive
  university vehicles.
• Must be approved by FPM to
  operate a Fork Lift.
• Must have complete hands on Fork Lift
  Training.
• Observe all traffic signs and
  regulations.

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Lifts are for Handling Material

• Never raise anyone with a lift truck
• Do not allow anyone to ride
  on the side or forks.
• Never allow anyone to
  walk under raised forks.
• Do not use the upright
  for a ladder.

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General Safety Rules

• Watch out for pedestrians
• They may not watch for you.
• Wear safety equipment when required.
• Do not block safety or emergency
  equipment.
• No eating, drinking or smoking on
  fork lift.
• Do not operate fork lift when under influence of
  drugs or alcohol.
• No horseplay or stunt driving.

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Drive Safely

• Use well defined traffic routes
• Free from obstruction.
• Keep a clear view of the path of
  travel, and always look in
  the direction of travel.
• If the load blocks your
  view, travel in reverse.
• Keep fork lift under control at all times.
• Travel at a speed that permits stopping in a
  safe manner
• Starts and stops should be gradual.

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Drive Safely Cont.

• Keep both hands on the steering wheel
  whenever possible.
• Keep arms and legs within the cab
  or overhead guard supports at all times
  that the fork lift is in motion.
• Never drive toward a person standing in
  front of fixed object.
• Reduce speed and sound horn at
  cross aisles and other locations where vision
  is obstructed.

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Drive Safely Cont.

• Remove loose objects from drive path
• Do not drive over or around them.
• Be alert at pedestrian crossing points.
• Unattended trucks must be shut off
  with lowered load.
• Stop at intersections, blind corners or entrances
  used by other traffic.

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Drive Safely Cont.

• Maintain a safe distance from the edge of ramps
  or platforms while on any elevated dock or
  platform.
• Be extra careful when pedestrians are
  near.
• Keep a safe distance between you and any vehicle
  you may be following.

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Safety and Operational Checks

• Fork Lifts must be inspected and serviced by a
  qualified technician at least every 3 months.
• Drivers should inspect the following each day
• Steering
• Brakes
• Lights
• Check for leaks
• Note Keep your hands, feet and legs out of the
  chains, upright, carriage or attachment.

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Fork Lift Stability

• Forklift is based on the
  principle of two weights
  balanced on opposite
  sides of a pivot, or
  Fulcrum Point.
• The forward wheels
  are the fulcrum point.

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Fork Lift Stability Cont.

• The Center of Gravity of the fork lift is the
  single point about which the fork
  lift is balanced in all directions.
• Any load the fork lift carries
  also has its own CG.
• When the fork lift picks
  up a load, the fork lift
  and load have a new
  combined CG.
• The stability of the fork lift is determined
  by the location of its CG, or if it is
  carrying a load, the combined CG.

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Fork Lift Stability Cont.

• In order for the forklift to be stable, the CG
  must stay within the area of the forklift
  represented by a triangle drawn between the drive
  wheels and the pivot of the steering axle. This
  triangle is routinely called the Stability
  Triangle.

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Fork Lift Stability Cont.

• If the CG moves forward, in front of the
  drive axle, the forklift
  will tip forward.
• If the CG moves outside of the line represented
  by the lines drawn between the drive wheels the
  steer axle pivot, the forklift will tip to the
  side.

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Fork Lift Stability Cont.

• The CG, and therefore the stability, of
  the loaded truck is affected by
  the following factors
• Size.
• Weight.
• Shape.
• Position of the load.
• Height to which the load is elevated.
• The amount of forward or backward tilt.
• Tire pressure.
• The dynamic forces created
  when the truck is moving.

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Fork Lift Operation

• Always travel with a load tilted
  slightly back for added stability.
• Do not lift or lower the load
  when the forklift is in motion.
• Keep the forks in the lowest position from the
  floor when
  vehicle is moving.

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Fork Lift Operation Cont.

• Drive in reverse rather than looking around the
  load if you are unable to see over it.
• Use extra caution when traveling longer distance
  in reverse.
• When driving on a hill or incline, keep the load
  up hill or up grade.
• To keep the load up grade
• When empty travel up in reverse
  and down forward with a
  load travel up forward
  and down in
  reverse.
• Ascend descend
  grades slowly.

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Picking Up a Load

• Make sure the load is within the rated load
  capacity for the forklift.
• Adjust long or high loads which may
  affect capacity.
• A long load will reduce the
  capacity of the truck.
• Wide loads should be kept low.
• Center load.
• Stack and tie uneven or loose loads.
• Drive into the loading position and insert the
  forks far enough to be sure the pallet is
  completely on the forks.

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Picking Up a Load Cont.

• Drive under the load until it slightly touches
  the carriage.
• Tilt the forks back to shift the weight of the
  load back, making it more stable.
• If the load is unbalanced, keep the heavier end
  closer to you.
• Tilt the mast back.
• Lift the load and tilt it back
  a little more before traveling.
• Stop when the tips of the
  forks are about a foot away
  from the load.

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Picking Up a Load Cont.

• Level the forks and slowly
  drive forward until the load is
  resting against the backrest.
• Lift the load high enough to
  clear whatever is under it.
• Carefully tilt the mast back
  to stabilize the load.
• Clear the stacks by slowly backing
• Check behind and to both sides
  before moving.
• Keep the forks low for travel.

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Putting a Load Down

• Square up and stop about a foot away.
• Level the forks and then
  drive the rest of the way in.
• Lower the load.
• Tilt the forks slightly forward to
  avoid hooking the load.
• Look over both shoulders and
  back straight out until the
  forks clear the pallet.

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Safe Unloading of Trailer

• Make sure brakes are set and
  wheel chocks are in place under the rear
  wheels.
• Use jack stands if appropriate.
• Inspect or install the dock pale (secure in
  place and check load
  capacity).
• Check flooring for breaks and
  weaknesses before driving into
  the trailer.

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Safe Stacking of Loads

• Take precautions when loading or
  pulling from a stack.
• Do not stack materials too high.
• Move towards the stack with the load
  low and tilted backward.
• Slow down and stop at
  the face of the stack.
• Make sure the area is clear of
  personnel.

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Safe Stacking of Loads Cont.

• Stop about one foot away from the loading area
  lift the mast high enough to clear the top of the
  stack.
• Reduce the backward tilt
  to stabilize the load.
• Bring mast forward retaining only sufficient
  back tilt to secure the load.
• Elevate the load to the
  desired stacking height.
• When the load is clear of the top of
  the stack, move slowly forward.

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Safe Stacking of Loads Cont.

• When the load is securely stacked, lower
  forks until free of pallet.
• Check behind and withdraw by
  reversing the forklift.
• A slight forward tilt may be
  helpful at this position.
• When clear of the stack, lower the forks
  to just above the ground level, tilt the mast
  backward to the usual traveling position.

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Safe Stacking of Loads Cont.

• DO NOT straighten the stack by pushing
  against it with the forks or with
  the end of the forklift.
• Slowly move forward until the load is squarely
  over the top of the stack.
• Level the forks and lower the mast
  until the load is no longer supported
  by the forks.
• Look over both shoulders for obstructions and
  back straight out
  if the path is clear.

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Tips to Avoid Tipping

• Do not exceed the weight
  capacity of the lift.
• Never turn on a grade.
• Avoid loose or slippery surfaces.
• Turning onto a soft shoulder can
  tip a truck over
• Keep the steer wheels on the road.

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Tips to Avoid Tipping Cont.

• Turning too sharp with a raised load can
  cause truck to tip over even at
  slow speed.
• Carry loads low and tilted back.
• Note If tip over occurs
• Stay with the truck
• Chance for survival is better.
• Stay in the seat
• Grip the wheel and brace your feet.

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Propane Fuel Handling

• All valves, nozzle, and hoses should be secure
  and free of leaks.
• The propane tank should be inspected for
  cracks, broken weld points, and other damage.
  
• If you smell propane, shut
  off the valve.
• Wear gloves safety
• glasses.

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Propane Fuel Handling

• The valve on the fuel cylinder
  must be closed when the PIT is
  not in operation and parked
  overnight.
• The fuel cylinder must be secured in the brackets
  when the PIT is in operation.
• Change propane tanks in a well-ventilated area
  free of open flames.
• No smoking.

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• Any Questions

??
Please visit FPM Website
(www.uwec.edu/facmgt./index.htm)
for additional information.