Be Alert When Using a Forklift Truck
Forklifts are huge industrial machinery making safety a main concern when operating these trucks. The operators of forklifts are required by law to be taught and qualified prior to utilizing these machines. Anyone who misuses a forklift truck can be charged with an offence. Abuse of this potentially dangerous machine could result in serious injury or fatality. Safe use of a forklift truck includes paying full attention both to what is happening around the vehicle and to what is happening in the vehicle. Not different to driving a car, operating a forklift requires keeping your attention on the road and being alert of pedestrians and other vehicles.
Essential forklift driving tips
Workplace accidents are all too frequent. On the other hand, many accidents are avoidable by lessening the risks while working with heavy and dangerous machinery.
Uneven surfaces and drops are commonly encountered while driving a lift truck because most operating surfaces are relatively rough and uneven. The biggest hazards are pot holes, bumps, dock platforms, dock bridges, ramps and inclines. Forklifts are engineered to handle rough surfaces, but it is up to the operator to watch out for these dangers to keep control of the truck.
Visibility is amongst the important factors in forklift accidents. The operator is responsible for ensuring clear visibility when using a lift truck by inspecting that mirrors are positioned properly and that all windows are unobstructed and clean. If a load is positioned in such a way that it obstructs visibility for the driver, then the operator should put the forklift in reverse and back down the ramp carefully.
Forklift operators are legally required to perform every day inspections of the lift truck truck and its parts. A more thorough inspection must be performed weekly. The engine, brakes, forks, tires and the rest should always be tested to guarantee good working condition. Proper testing can help to prevent injury and accidents.