Forklift Safety Tips

Safety Tips for Forklift Operators

The following are safety tips to ensure safe forklift operation:

 

  • Where fitted, seatlbelts must be worn and speed limits and stop signs obeyed.
  • Avoid turning when negotiating grades, ramps and inclines.
  • Before operating a forklift, the workplace should be assessed to ensure it is safe, and its conditions present no apparent risk of injury to a person, or damage to equipment or loads.
  • Slow down and sound the horn when approaching an intersection or corner.
  • When getting off a forklift, ensure the parking brake is set, the forks are lowered and controls are neutralised.
  • Passengers must not ride on a forklift unless there is an additional seat, footrest and seatbelt.
  • Raising people on forks or pallets is a prohibited work practice.
  • Order picking platforms must have guard rails to prevent falls. If it is possible for a person to extend their body over the guard or step from the platform, then a safety harness should be provided. The harness must be attached to a strong anchorpoint. A risk assessment should be conducted to determine the type of travel restraint system, or fall prevention system, suited to the activity and workplace environment.
  • Use maintenance work platforms, wih a meshed-in work area securely attached to the forks to raise people performing minor maintenance tasks.
  • Platforms should not be used by workers who have not completed the necessary safety training. These platforms should only be attached to a complying designated forklift, with a load capacity data plate stating attachments that may be used. To use a forklift with a maintenance work platform, it must have tilt levers locked out, and restricting hydraulic valves fitted.
  • Implement safe work procedures to ensure anyone on a work platform who is raised in a forklift can be rescued if an incident or breakdown occurs.
  • Train workers on how to act if an incident should occur.
  • If a side or forward tip over occurs, operators should not jump; instead they should stay in the cabin, hold on firmly and stay with the forklift leaning in the opposite direction of the overturn.
  • A properly adjusted seatbelt will keep you safely in the cabin during an overturn.

 

 Workplace checklist

Before operating a forklift, it is important to be familiar with the area of operation.

This can be done by taking a walk around and assessing the site to identify any hazards that may impact on the safe operation of a forklift and report any identified hazards to the supervisor.

To ensure the safe operation of a forklift at the site, check:

 

  • pedestrian exclusion zones are marked
  • ground surfaces are clean and clear of obstruction
  • pedestrian and vehicular traffic
  • restricted and poorly ventilated spaces
  • lighting conditions and noisy machines
  • uneven floors, ramps and railway tracks
  • overhead doorways, fittings, powerlines and obstructions
  • wet and dry areas
  • loading docks
  • storage racking, and
  • forklift operating paths.

 Selecting a suitable forklift

Each workplace is different. Before purchasing, hiring or leasing a forklift, be aware of what forklift safety and ergonomic design features are best suited to your workplace. This can be the most effective way of avoiding safety problems and minimising operator injuries. If a forklift is needed to work in a flammable or explosive atmosphere, ensure it suits this purpose by referring to the manufacturer's recommendations. If forklifts are required to be used in poorly ventilated areas, ensure it is electric. WHSR's, operators and other affected workers should be consulted when purchasing new machinery They are best placed to provide advice on good safety features and practices.

For Forklift Sales, Service, and Hire enquiries, please phone Forklift and Mechanical Services on (07) 3285 6969 and Press 2 when instructed.