Forklift Training - Forklift Training - GeneralGeneral

OverviewOverview Only trained and evaluated Only trained and evaluated

operators can drive forkliftsoperators can drive forklifts

Employer certifies successful Employer certifies successful completion of training and completion of training and evaluationevaluation

1a

OverviewOverview Operators can only drive the types Operators can only drive the types

of forklifts on which they have of forklifts on which they have been trainedbeen trained

1b

OverviewOverview Operating a forklift takes:Operating a forklift takes:

• SkillSkill• Mechanical knowledgeMechanical knowledge• Knowledge of workplace hazardsKnowledge of workplace hazards

1c

OverviewOverview Take forklift out of service if Take forklift out of service if

defectivedefective

1d

Forklift rulesForklift rules Don’t stand or pass under raised Don’t stand or pass under raised

forksforks

Only handle stable, safely Only handle stable, safely arranged loadsarranged loads

Only handle loads within truck’s Only handle loads within truck’s rated capacityrated capacity

2a

Forklift rulesForklift rules Place forks under load as far as possiblePlace forks under load as far as possible

Only tilt load forward while depositing itOnly tilt load forward while depositing it

High-lift rider trucks need overhead High-lift rider trucks need overhead guards to protect operatorguards to protect operator

2b

Forklift rulesForklift rules Use a safety platform to lift peopleUse a safety platform to lift people

Forklifts must be approved for Forklifts must be approved for hazardous locationshazardous locations

Watch where you are goingWatch where you are going

2c

Forklift rulesForklift rules Never drive up to anyone standing Never drive up to anyone standing

in front of a fixed objectin front of a fixed object

Allow no ridersAllow no riders

Keep arms, legs in truckKeep arms, legs in truck

2d

Forklift rulesForklift rules Keep the load close to the groundKeep the load close to the ground

Keep to the rightKeep to the right

Obey speed limitsObey speed limits

2e

Forklift rulesForklift rules Slow down, sound horn where vision Slow down, sound horn where vision

is obstructedis obstructed

Maintain safe distances (3 truck Maintain safe distances (3 truck lengths) when following other truckslengths) when following other trucks

Do not pass a truck at dangerous Do not pass a truck at dangerous locationslocations

2f

Forklift rulesForklift rules No stunt driving or horseplayNo stunt driving or horseplay

Ensure enough clearance at Ensure enough clearance at overhead locationsoverhead locations

Stay within loaded/rated capacityStay within loaded/rated capacity

2g

Forklift rulesForklift rules Use mechanical dock locks or set Use mechanical dock locks or set

brakes of highway trucks before brakes of highway trucks before driving on trailer.driving on trailer.

Follow any special precautionsFollow any special precautions

2h

Forklift rulesForklift rules Keep aisles free when parking Keep aisles free when parking

forkliftforklift

Lower forks, neutralize controls, Lower forks, neutralize controls, shut off engine, and set brakes shut off engine, and set brakes when truck is unattended.when truck is unattended.

2i

Training geared for the Training geared for the workplaceworkplace Types of trucksTypes of trucks

Site-specific informationSite-specific information

3a

Training topicsTraining topics Operating instructions, warnings, Operating instructions, warnings,

precautionsprecautions

Differences between trucks and Differences between trucks and automobilesautomobiles

Truck controls, instrumentationTruck controls, instrumentation

4a

Training topicsTraining topics Engine and motor operationEngine and motor operation

Steering and maneuverabilitySteering and maneuverability

VisibilityVisibility

4b

Training topicsTraining topics Fork and attachment adaptation, Fork and attachment adaptation,

operation, use limitationsoperation, use limitations

Vehicle capacity, stabilityVehicle capacity, stability

Inspection and maintenanceInspection and maintenance

4c

Training topicsTraining topics Refueling/rechargingRefueling/recharging

Operating limitationsOperating limitations

Other instructionsOther instructions

4d

Workplace-related Workplace-related training topicstraining topics Surface conditionsSurface conditions

Composition of loadsComposition of loads

Load manipulationLoad manipulation

5a

Workplace-related Workplace-related training topicstraining topics Pedestrian trafficPedestrian traffic

Narrow aisles, Narrow aisles, restricted areasrestricted areas

Hazardous Hazardous locationslocations

5b

Workplace-related Workplace-related training topicstraining topics Ramps, sloped surfacesRamps, sloped surfaces

Closed environmentsClosed environments

Unique, potentially hazardous Unique, potentially hazardous environmentsenvironments

5c

Differences between trucks Differences between trucks and automobilesand automobiles Driver has limited visibilityDriver has limited visibility

Rear-wheel steeringRear-wheel steering

Different centers of gravityDifferent centers of gravity

6a

Controls are differentControls are different

Industrial trucks carry heavier Industrial trucks carry heavier loadsloads

6b

Differences between trucks Differences between trucks and automobilesand automobiles

Controls and Controls and instrumentationinstrumentation Critical to safe operationCritical to safe operation

Unintentional, mistaken operation Unintentional, mistaken operation can cause serious accidentscan cause serious accidents

Know where controls are located, Know where controls are located, what they do, how they workwhat they do, how they work

7a

Engine and motor Engine and motor operationoperation Powered by gasoline, LP gas, Powered by gasoline, LP gas,

propane, or batterypropane, or battery

8a

Knowing how a truck is powered Knowing how a truck is powered helps to understand the truck’s helps to understand the truck’s capabilities, limitationscapabilities, limitations

Engine and motor Engine and motor operationoperation

8b

Steering and maneuveringSteering and maneuvering Rear-end steeringRear-end steering

Many trucks do not have a Many trucks do not have a standard steering wheelstandard steering wheel

9a

Steering and maneuveringSteering and maneuvering Operator may need to steer in Operator may need to steer in

reversereverse

Operator may need to steer with Operator may need to steer with one handone hand

Understand the controls for the Understand the controls for the type of truck you’re operatingtype of truck you’re operating

9b

Operator visibilityOperator visibility Loads can restrict visionLoads can restrict vision

Look in the direction you’re Look in the direction you’re travelingtraveling

Watch for overhead obstaclesWatch for overhead obstacles

10a

Operator visibilityOperator visibility Ensure adequate clearanceEnsure adequate clearance

Check blind spots to side and rearCheck blind spots to side and rear

10b

ForksForks Trucks can be equipped or Trucks can be equipped or

modified to accept attachments for modified to accept attachments for moving odd-shaped loadsmoving odd-shaped loads

Additions/modifications may affect Additions/modifications may affect stability, safe operationstability, safe operation

11a

ForksForks Attachments can cause Attachments can cause

restrictions/limitations to operationrestrictions/limitations to operation

Operate trucks with attachments Operate trucks with attachments as being partially loadedas being partially loaded

11b

Vehicle capacityVehicle capacity Only handle loads Only handle loads

within truck’s within truck’s rated capacityrated capacity

Capacity is Capacity is found on found on nameplatenameplate

12a

Vehicle capacityVehicle capacity Understand limitations for:Understand limitations for:

• how much weight can be handledhow much weight can be handled• how high the load can be raisedhow high the load can be raised• how far the load’s center of gravity how far the load’s center of gravity

can be from truck’s vertical load restcan be from truck’s vertical load rest

12b

Vehicle stabilityVehicle stability Center of gravity shifts when load Center of gravity shifts when load

is raisedis raised

Truck is less stable with raised loadTruck is less stable with raised load

Moving an unstable truck can Moving an unstable truck can result in tipoverresult in tipover

13a

Vehicle stabilityVehicle stability During a tipover:During a tipover:

• Stay with vehicle and lean away from Stay with vehicle and lean away from direction of falldirection of fall

• Don’t jump downward while truck is Don’t jump downward while truck is tippingtipping

Keep load at lowest practical pointKeep load at lowest practical point

13b

Inspection and Inspection and maintenancemaintenance Follow procedures and schedulesFollow procedures and schedules

Keeps forklifts operating safelyKeeps forklifts operating safely

Inspect for damage, defects, Inspect for damage, defects, unusual conditionsunusual conditions

14a

Inspection and Inspection and maintenancemaintenance Perform safety checks before Perform safety checks before

operationoperation• Fork pins and stopsFork pins and stops• Cowling and body partsCowling and body parts• Fuel levelsFuel levels• Belts, hoses, tiresBelts, hoses, tires

14b

Inspection and Inspection and maintenancemaintenance Perform safety checks before Perform safety checks before

operationoperation• Brakes, steering, controls, hour Brakes, steering, controls, hour

meter, lights, hornmeter, lights, horn• Remove unsafe trucks from serviceRemove unsafe trucks from service• Repairs must be made by authorized Repairs must be made by authorized

personperson

14c

Inspection and Inspection and maintenancemaintenance Perform safety checks before Perform safety checks before

operationoperation• Remove vehicles from service that Remove vehicles from service that

emit sparksemit sparks• Don’t operate trucks with fuel leaksDon’t operate trucks with fuel leaks

14d

Inspection and Inspection and maintenancemaintenance Perform safety checks before Perform safety checks before

operationoperation• Remove trucks from service that Remove trucks from service that

operate in excess of normal operating operate in excess of normal operating temperaturetemperature

• Check water mufflers dailyCheck water mufflers daily

14e

Fueling/charging of Fueling/charging of batteriesbatteries Exposes workers to hazardous Exposes workers to hazardous

chemicalschemicals

Involves electrical hazards, heat Involves electrical hazards, heat build-up, generation of gasbuild-up, generation of gas

Be aware of all hazards involving Be aware of all hazards involving fueling and battery handlingfueling and battery handling

15a

Fueling/charging of Fueling/charging of batteriesbatteries Keep flames, sparks, arcs from Keep flames, sparks, arcs from

fueling areasfueling areas

Smoking is not allowed in Smoking is not allowed in fueling/charging areasfueling/charging areas

Keep tools and metallic objects Keep tools and metallic objects from top of uncovered batteriesfrom top of uncovered batteries

15b

Provide operators with the Provide operators with the information they needinformation they need Operating instructionsOperating instructions

WarningsWarnings

PrecautionsPrecautions

16a

Truck-specific informationTruck-specific information LimitationsLimitations

Operator’s manualOperator’s manual

16b

Workplace-specific Workplace-specific informationinformation Loads handledLoads handled

Pedestrian trafficPedestrian traffic

Traffic routesTraffic routes

Unique hazards of the facilityUnique hazards of the facility

17a

Retraining/re-evaluationRetraining/re-evaluation Triggered by certain events:Triggered by certain events:

• AccidentsAccidents• Near-missesNear-misses• Assignment to different type of truckAssignment to different type of truck• Changes in work environmentChanges in work environment• Observation of unsafe operationObservation of unsafe operation

18a

Retraining/re-evaluationRetraining/re-evaluation Evaluate at least every 3 yearsEvaluate at least every 3 years

Avoid duplication of trainingAvoid duplication of training

18b