FORKLIFT SAFETY AWARENESS

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FORKLIFT SAFETY AWARENESS
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INTRODUCTION

• Forklifts are very useful for moving raw
  materials, tools and equipment in many industries
  including construction. But unfortunately, they
  also feature prominently in work place accidents.
  About 1/3 of all transport related accidents
  involve lift trucks. These accidents result from
  a lack of operator training, poor maintenance and
  no safe systems of work regarding lift truck
  operations.

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SCOPE

• As a lift truck operator it is necessary for you
  to familiarize yourself with site procedures
  regarding lift truck safe operation.

• Types of lift trucks
• Lift truck operators
• Medical considerations
• Training
• Testing
• Authorization to operate

• Familiarization with site routes
• Pedestrians / other personnel
• Maintenance
• Daily checks
• Operating a lift truck
• Refueling

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TYPES OF FORKLIFTS

• 3 types generally used in construction
• Industrial counter balanced lift truck
• Rough terrain counter balanced lift truck
• Telescopic material handler

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INDUSTRIAL COUNTER BALANCED TYPE

• Counter weight to balance
• Mast
• Only raise or lower
• Only operate on smooth solid surfaces
• Poor ground clearance
• Usually solid tyres
• Fueled by battery/electric, gas, diesel

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ROUGH TERRAIN COUNTER BALANCED TYPE

• Similar to industrial type
• Larger pneumatic tyres
• Rough terrain capabilities
• Good ground clearance
• Usually diesel engine

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TELESCOPIC TYPE

• Crane type boom
• Hydraulic power
• Telescopic
• 4 wheel drive
• 4 wheel steer
• Stabilizers
• Other useful attachments

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LIFT TRUCK OPERATORS

• Selection of operators
• Physical and mental fitness

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TRAINING

• Basic
• Job specific
• Familiarization

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TESTING

• Certification
• Continuous assessment

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AUTHORIZATION TO OPERATE

• Written permission
• Driver competent
• Set duration
• Lockable ignition
• Key holder

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FAMILIARIZATION OF SITE ROUTES

• Laydown areas
• Pedestrian routes / crossings
• Other traffic
• Excavations
• Other obstructions
• Gradients
• Unstable surfaces

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PEDESTRIANS / PERSONNEL

• Safe work systems
• Segregation of pedestrians
• Audible warning devices
• Flashing beacon
• High visibility clothing
• Head and foot protection
• Reversing beeper
• Side mirrors

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MAINTENANCE

• Mast
• Chains
• Tyres
• Operators cab

• Hydraulics
• Brakes
• Battery
• Lights
• Steering

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DAILY CHECKS

• Tyre pressure
• Brakes / hand break
• Horn
• Lights / beacon
• Fuel

• Water
• Oil
• Battery
• Hydraulic leaks

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LIFTING AND TRANSPORTING OF LOADS

• Load weight
• Load security
• Pallets
• Lifting capacity
• Check route
• Over head hazards

• Other traffic
• Travelling load position
• Speed limit
• Loading bays
• Defective equipment
• Emergency exits

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OPERATIONS OF ROUGH TERRAINCOUNTER BALANCED LIFT
TRUCKS

• Tyres
• Slippery slopes
• 4 wheel drive
• Bounce
• Parking brake

• Forks position
• Check route
• Operator skill
• Steep gradients
• Site signage

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TELESCOPIC MATERIAL HANDLERS

• Telescopic boom
• Automatic load indicators
• Keep door shut
• Safety belt
• Limited visibility

• 4 wheel drive
• Crab steer
• Greater reach for stacking
• More likely to over turn
• Stabilizers

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REFUELING

• Diesel
• Gas
• Electric

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DIESEL FUEL

• Use refueling area
• Turn off engine and use parking brake
• Avoid overfilling the fuel tank

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BATTERY CHARGING

• Change in a well ventilated area
• Use eye protection when making connections
• Have eye wash facilities available
• Have an acid neutralizing agent available
• Dont over fill the batteries with water

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PROPANE FUEL

• Use refueling area
• Set parking brake
• Turn off fuel valve at cylinder
• Let engine die to purge all LPP from lines
• Disconnect cylinder and remove
• Replace with full cylinder
• Reconnect and turn on valve
• Check for leaks

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DON'T

• DO NOT
• Consume alcohol while at work
• Pick up a load if someone is standing close
• Allow people to walk underneath the load
• Try to pick up an unsuitable load
• Leave a lift truck unattended with the engine
  running
• Carry passengers
• Drive over cables or piping
• Operate with the load raised except at creep
  speed
• Drive forward is visibility is impaired by a load

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DOS

• DO
• Only issue keys to authorized drivers
• On completion of work, park lift truck in
  designated area
• Be careful with pedestrians / obey site rules /
  speed limits
• Sound horn at potential danger spots
• Stop before entering building, sound horn then
  proceed
• Avoid violent breaking

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DOS

• DO
• Always travel with the forks roughly 150 mm above
  ground level
• Travel slowly down slopes with the fork facing
  uphill
• Always use the hand brake when necessary
• Never travel across an incline
• Before you raise a load check over head for
  obstructions
• Always check for traffic when dismounting