Operating a Standard Counterbalance lift truck
1 Perform a pre-shift check before utilizing the equipment. or OSHA guidelines state that a pre-shift checklist must be performed at the beginning of each work shift. Each and every different equipment as well as its attachments has its own checklist listing brakes, steering, emergency brakes, lights, horn, controls and safety features.
2 Start up the equipment and check controls. First ensure your seatbelt is fixed firmly and the seat is firmly in place and adjusted for your comfort. Look under the equipment after you move it for any indications of leaks. The operation of every kind of forklift is different.
3 The basic operation of a machine is really as opposed to a standard motor vehicle. The forklift has a rear end swing of the forklift happens as the truck steers utilizing its rear wheels. Forgetting this fact is a major cause of accidents and injuries to employees. The nearly 90-degree turn from the front wheels should be performed with utmost caution. These top-heavy machinery have a high center of gravity even without a load. When transporting or lifting a load this top-heaviness is exacerbated.
4 When traveling, keep the forks near the floor and utilize caution when approaching loads. Make sure that the forks line up with the pallet. Lift the load just as high as is needed, tilting it back to help stabilize the equipment. Drive backwards only if the load is very bulky that it interferes with the vision of the operator.
5 Prior to unloading and loading, check the wheels on trailers/trucks. When carrying a load, it is not advised to travel on slopes. The machine is prone to tip-overs on a slope. When driving on a slope is unavoidable, always drive up the slope and back down. The load must be kept on the uphill side of the truck.
6 The driver should be firmly in control all the time. The primary reason for operator injuries is tip-over. The driver must never try to jump out of the truck in case of a tip-over. The safest approach is to lean away from the direction of fall while holding the steering wheel and bracing your feet.