When injuries happen on the job site, the productivity is instantly decreased. That’s why many companies, especially those that use heavy-duty machines, implement safety procedures for preventing serious injuries. Many forklift truck injuries happen when people are working near the forklift. Proper forklift maneuvering is important to ensure safety for everyone at the job site.
For a proper forklift truck maneuvering, the operators need to posses special skills and knowledge. These skills can be gained only through training courses for forklift trucks. Bellow are some safety tips which can help you boost your productivity when using a forklift truck:
-
Inspect the forklift truck before every operation. Perform a routine check of the equipment before using it. Some of the things you should check on a daily basis are: tires, brakes, steering, lifting system, mast, water and oil level, and battery.
-
Wear appropriate clothing. Wear protective equipment such as hardhat, safety footwear, hi-visibly jackets. Depending on the work environment, additional protective equipment might be required.
-
Choose the right forklift truck for the job. When choosing a forklift truck, you should consider the following things: capacity limits, potential hazards and the load requirements.
-
Drive with caution. It is important for you to respect the speed limits, and also to sound the horn at corners and danger spots. Always drive to the right side of an aisle, stop before doorways, never carry passengers and be careful when driving and loading around pedestrians.
-
Avoid tipping over. When carrying a load, it is important to keep the forks close to the ground and the mast tilted back.
-
Be careful on hills and inclines. Don’t move heavy loads on sloppy and slippery surface.
-
Never leave a forklift truck unattended. Always start the machine in neutral, with the parking brake on and the forks lowered.
Although simple, these safety tips can help you to protect everyone at the work site.
