Transcript Powered Industrial Trucks

Forklift Operator Safety
Overview
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Session Objectives
You will be able to:
• Understand how forklifts work
• Operate a forklift safely and skillfully
• Identify operating hazards
• Apply general principles of safe operation
• Properly inspect and maintain a forklift
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Why Forklift Training Is
Necessary
• 100 fatalities each year
• 20,000 lost workday
injuries annually
• Common injuries
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•
•
•
Hitting a pedestrian
Tipping over
Falling from raised forks
Falling from a ladder
struck with a forklift
• Falling material
• Training reduces
injuries
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Regulatory Requirements
According to 29 CFR 1910.178:
• Operator must receive training before
operating a forklift
• Demonstrate competency
• Forklift characteristics
• Operating environment
• Inspection and maintenance
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Forklift Components
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Forklift Basics
www.Lni.wa.gov
Image Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services
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Forklift Characteristics
• Different from driving a
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•
•
•
car
Rear of a forklift swings
in opposite direction of
the turn
Forklift impact against
objects magnified
Driven backward as
well as forward
One hand on controls
Image Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services
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Nameplate
• OSHA requires a
legible nameplate
• It includes information
about fork
modifications and
attachments
• It lists the maximum
load capacity
• It describes the load
center
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Image Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services
Determine a Load’s
Center of Gravity
• Center of gravity is the
balance point
• Load center is the
point where the
heaviest part of the
load is located
• Pick up loads at the
shortest distance from
the edge of the item to
the item’s center of
gravity and load center
Image Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services
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Stability Triangle
• Stable forklift without a
load
• Stable forklift with
maximum load
• Unstable forklift with
offset maximum load
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Combined Actions
• Center of gravity
(COG) side to side
• COG forward
• COG backward
• Combination of two
can cause tip-over
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Attachments
• Change operating
clearances
• Change capacity
• Change stability and
load center
Image Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services
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Operating Hazards—
Pedestrians
Forklift accidents
involving pedestrians may
be caused by:
• Obstructed view
• Turning
• Speeding
• Pedestrian unaware
forklift is present
• Carrying passengers
and horseplay
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Operating Hazards—
Environmental Conditions
• Operating nonelectric
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•
•
•
•
forklift in poorly
ventilated area
Traveling on ramps
Crossing railroad
tracks
Slippery floors
Operating on dirt or
gravel
Poor lighting
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Operating Hazards—
Load Carrying
Load-carrying hazards include:
• Working around loading docks
• Loads that block the forward vision
• Stacking and unstacking on racks
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What’s Wrong Here?
• Identify the hazards
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Forklift Characteristics and
Hazards—Any Questions?
• Any questions about the characteristics or
basic features of a forklift?
• Any questions about the stability of forklifts?
• Any questions about the hazards specific to
our workplace?
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Conduct a Preoperational
Inspection
• Conduct a
preoperational
inspection
• Follow the inspection
checklist
• Complete and sign the
checklist
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Inspection Walkaround
• Check that the forklift is properly
disengaged—forks down, key off, neutral
gear, parking brake on
• Check left and right side—tires, lug nuts,
axle, overhead guard, and no debris behind
the mast
• Check front—forks, hoses, fork pins,
backrest, mast, and chains
• Check rear—counterbalance and radiator
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Inspection Walkaround (cont.)
• Propane-powered forklift
• Check all oil and fluid levels
• Check fan belt, fan, and radiator
• Check tank, hose attachments, and tank clamp
• Electric-powered forklift
• Check the battery condition
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While in the Operator Seat
• Make nonmoving checks—gauges, lights,
horn, backup alarm, warning light, tilt-and-lift
mechanism, and parking brake
• Make moving checks—seat belt, running
brakes, and steering
• Look for oil or water leaks on the floor
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Operating a Forklift
• Authorized operators
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•
•
•
•
only
Quickly report
accidents
Always wear seat belts
No person under the
forks
Operate controls only
from driver’s seat
Never block exits or
emergency equipment
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Tip-Over Safety Procedure
• Always wear your seat
belt
• Hold onto the
steering wheel
• Brace your feet
• Lean away from
the fall
Image Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services
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Loading and Unloading
• Never overload the
forklift
• Check the weight of the
load
• Locate the load’s center
of gravity
• Inspect the load
• Restack unstable loads
• Tow from the rear
towing pin
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www.lni.wa.gov/Safety
Image Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services
Traveling
• Look in the direction of
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•
•
•
•
travel
Keep body inside cage
Keep forks low when
traveling
Sound the horn
Don’t speed
Check clearance
Image Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services
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Traveling (cont.)
• Avoid loose objects or holes
• Never carry passengers
• Pedestrians always have the right-of-way
• Keep a safe distance from the edge of
ramps or docks
• Never eat or drink
• No horseplay
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Ramps and Railroads
• No turns on a ramp
• Load facing upgrade
• Go slow
• Cross railroad tracks
diagonally
• Never park within
8 feet of the center
of railroad tracks
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Docks
• Inspect the dock plate
• Check the trailer floor
condition
• Make sure trailer
wheels are chocked
• Ensure that the nose of
the trailer is supported
by the tractor or a fixed
jack
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Parking
• Don’t block exits or
•
•
•
•
aisles
Lower the forks
Set gear to
neutral
Set the parking
brake
Turn off the key
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Propane Refueling
• Highly flammable
gas—do not smoke
• Report leaks
immediately
• Distinct odor
• Hissing sound
• Frost on fittings
• Use gloves and safety
glasses
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Battery Charging
• Charge batteries only
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•
•
•
in protected areas with
ventilation
Inspect battery
connectors for damage
No smoking
Immediately clean up
electrolyte spills
Battery electrolyte is
highly corrosive—wear
PPE
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Inspection, Operation, and
Maintenance—Questions?
• Inspection procedures?
• Operating procedures?
• Vehicle maintenance?
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Key Points to Remember
• Facility hazards include pedestrians,
environmental conditions, and
loading/unloading
• Position loads close to the vertical backrest
• Always conduct and document a
preoperational inspection
• Follow the safe operating rules of the road
• Always refuel/recharge in ventilated areas
and wear proper PPE
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