Forklift Safety
Using a forklift is a lifeline for many businesses and warehouses. They help you move heavy objects around your work quickly and safely. But when they’re not used properly, forklifts can be dangerous. In fact, the average number of injuries related to forklifts has increased substantially over the past few years due to poor maintenance and other factors such as operator error. Here are some tips on how you can prevent accidents at work by following safety regulations:
Stick to the limit.
Stick to the limit. Do not exceed the load capacity. If you are in doubt, check the weight limits of your vehicle and its attachments.
Doing so can be extremely hazardous and even result in criminal prosecution if you are caught overloading or carrying an excessive amount of weight on your forklift truck or any other machine.
Follow the rules of the road.
Following the rules of the road is an important part of forklift safety. When you see something on the floor, slow down and stop to check it out before moving forward. Use your mirrors to help you see if there are any obstructions in your way or people standing around that could move as soon as you start moving.
If there is an obstruction in front of you and you can’t get around it safely, back up until there’s enough room for a “three-point turn.” This means turning the forklift to face another direction while staying centred between two walls or other obstacles on either side (the “three points”). In some cases, this may even mean backing up into a different aisle so that when you perform your three-point turn, there will be more space available without having to manoeuvre through someone else’s path.
If there’s nothing blocking traffic flow, but another vehicle heading toward yours from behind or off to one side and it looks like they might hit each other, then, stop. Don’t try anything fancy like trying to squeeze through just yet. It could end badly for everyone involved (including yourself). Instead, wait until both vehicles come together at their own pace and then go about their business afterwards without incident.
Respect pedestrians and other equipment.
Whether you’re in a warehouse, a factory or on the road, it’s important to respect pedestrians and other equipment. These are two areas where forklifts can cause serious accidents if they’re not used properly.
Be sure to use a forklift cap when operating the machine at low speeds. This will prevent pedestrians from getting hit by your truck if they happen to walk under it while you’re moving quickly.
When using other people’s equipment, make sure that they understand that you know how to operate it safely and ask them for help if needed.
Check the load.
Check the load. Make sure you know the load capacity of your forklift, as well as its weight and size. You should also check that the load is properly balanced. If it isn’t, you could injure yourself or others on your team by tipping over while moving it around.
Check your surroundings.
You should always check your surroundings and look for pedestrians, other equipment and obstacles. You also need to watch out for blind spots, as they can lead to collisions with other vehicles or objects.
To avoid injury when it comes to traffic, you need to make sure that you’re aware of any stray cars on the road and stay out of their way. Also, be mindful of children who may be running around outside and avoid any contact with them if possible. Finally, wild animals such as deer or bears can cause damage if they come into contact with your vehicle; check the area before backing up so that you don’t run into anything unexpected.
Use your mirrors.
A common cause of forklift accidents is the driver not using mirrors correctly. When you are driving a forklift, you should always be checking the blind spots to ensure no one will be in your way.
The best time to check your mirrors is when you first start driving and after stopping. You should also check them if someone has just walked by or if there’s an object in your way. This will help prevent any collisions that could cause injury or damage to property.
It’s equally important to check mirrors before reversing, turning and moving forward again as this will ensure that nothing gets hit by mistake.
Do pre-operation inspections and post-shift checks.
After you’ve made sure your forklift is in good mechanical order, it’s time to check that the load is secure. This means checking that the forks are at full extension and making sure there aren’t any loose items or debris on top of them.
It also means checking that there are no gaps between where items are resting on the forks and their bed. If there are gaps, try adding more sheets until their snug against one another; this will prevent items from falling off while moving through narrow corridors or doors.
Next up: inspect your tires. A tire blowout can cause serious injury or death if it occurs while you’re operating a forklift at high speeds so make sure yours don’t have any large cracks or cuts in them before driving off into action.
If you notice issues during daily use, things like low air pressure or uneven wear patterns. Then, you should have the tires replaced immediately with ones that meet industry standards for safety. Also, be sure not to overload them, if this happens often then it could lead to premature wear which increases risk factors associated with flat spots developing over time (like when using alternative materials such as wood/carpet).
Keep an eye out for uneven ground or soft surfaces.
The ground surface of your work area is a critical concern when it comes to the safety of forklifts. To avoid injuries, check for holes and potholes, wet, slippery or loose areas, uneven areas and debris. If you are working on an incline it’s imperative that you check for obstructions as well as barriers like curbs that could cause you to flip over if not aware of them.
Conclusion
Forklift safety is one of the most important aspects of running a warehouse or manufacturing plant. If you don’t follow proper procedures, you risk injuring yourself and others around you. But if you take the time to educate yourself on proper handling techniques and use caution when operating your forklift, then injuries can be prevented.
