Transcript Forklift Operator Safety

Forklift Operator Safety
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Session Objectives
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
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Why Forklift Training
Is Necessary
• 100 fatalities each year
• 20,000 lost workday
injuries annually
• Common injuries
•
•
•
•
•
Hitting a pedestrian
Tipping over
Improperly positioned loads
Falling from raised forks
Falling from a ladder struck
with a forklift
• Falling material
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Forklift Basics
Overhead
Guard
Mast
Lift
Cylinder
Lift
Control
Seat
Belt
Tilt
Control
Lift
Chains
Backrest
Carriage
Forks
Forklift vs. Automobile
• Rear of a forklift swings
in opposite direction of
the turn
• Forklift impact against
objects magnified
• Drives backward and
forward
• One hand on controls
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Nameplate
• OSHA requires a
legible nameplate
• It includes information
about the forklift and
attachments
• It lists the maximum
load capacity
• It describes the load
center
Image Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
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 load on the
side closest to its
center of gravity
CENTER OF
180LB
GRAVITY OF LOAD
TOP VIEW OF LIFT TRUCK
300LB
CENTER OF GRAVITY
LOAD CENTER
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Stability Triangle
Vehicle Center of
Gravity (unloaded)
Stability Triangle
Center of Gravity of
Vehicle and Maximum
Load (Theoretical)
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
What Can Cause a Tipover?
• Center of gravity
side to side
• Center of gravity
forward
• Center of gravity
backward
Combination of actions or
circumstances can cause tipover
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Attachments
• Change operating
clearances
• Change capacity
• Change stability
and load center
Image Credit: CDC
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Operating Hazards—
Pedestrians
Accidents involving
pedestrians may be
caused by:
• Obstructed view
• Turning
• Speeding
• Pedestrian unaware
forklift is present
• Carrying passengers
and horseplay
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Operating Hazards—
Environmental Conditions
• Combustible fuel•
•
•
•
•
operated forklift in
poorly ventilated area
Traveling on ramps
Crossing railroad
tracks
Slippery floors
Operating on dirt
or gravel
Poor lighting
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Operating Hazards—
Load Carrying
• Working around
loading docks
• Loads that block
the forward vision
• Stacking and
unstacking on
racks
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
What’s Wrong Here?
Forks not fully lowered
Forklift parked on
sloped surface
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Forklift Characteristics and
Hazards—Any Questions?
Do you understand:
• The characteristics
or basic features of
a forklift
• The stability of
forklifts
• The hazards specific
to our workplace
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Conduct a
Preoperational Inspection
• Conduct a
preoperational
inspection
• Follow the inspection
checklist
• Complete and sign
the checklist
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Inspection Walkaround
Forklift is properly
disengaged
Walk to both sides
Check front
Walk to rear
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Inspection Walkaround (cont.)
• Propane-powered
• Check all oil and
fluid levels
• Check cables
• Check fan belt, fan,
and radiator
• Check tank, and
hose attachments
• Electric-powered
• Check the battery
condition
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
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
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Operating a Forklift
• Authorized operators
•
•
•
•
•
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
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Tipover Safety Procedure
• Always wear your
seat belt
• Hold onto the
steering wheel
• Brace your feet
• Lean away from
the fall
Illustration credit: Rolls High Reach
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Loading and Unloading
• Never overload forklift
• Check load weight
• Locate load’s
center of gravity
• Inspect the load
• Restack or secure
unstable loads
• Be sure forks
are under load
• Tow from rear
towing pin
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Traveling
• Look in the
•
•
•
•
•
direction of travel
Keep body inside
cage
Keep forks low
when traveling
Sound the horn
Don’t speed
Check clearance
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Traveling (cont.)
• Avoid loose objects
•
•
•
•
•
or holes
Never carry
passengers
Pedestrians have
the right-of-way
Keep a safe distance
from the edge of ramps
or docks
Never eat or drink
No horseplay
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
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
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
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
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Parking
• Don’t block exits
or aisles
• Lower the forks
• Set gear to
neutral
• Set the parking
brake
• Turn off the key
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Propane Refueling
• Fill in well-ventilated
area
• Highly flammable
gas—do not smoke
• Report leaks
immediately
• Distinct odor
• Hissing sound
• Frost on fittings
• Use gloves and safety
glasses
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Battery Charging
• Charge batteries only
•
•
•
•
in protected areas with
ventilation
Inspect battery
connectors for damage
No smoking
Immediately clean up
electrolyte spills
Wear PPE
© 2008 Schumacher Electric Corp. All rights reserved.
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Test your Knowledge
1. The first step toward safe
forklift operation is to conduct
a _____________
preoperational _________.
inspection
2. Your inspection should continue
when you are in the _________
operator’s
seat
____.
3. Only authorized
__________ drivers
______
should operate a forklift.
4. If you are in a tipover, never
try to jump
____.
5. When traveling in a forklift,
keep the forks low
___.
WORD BANK
preoperational inspection
battery test
operator’s seat
warehouse
authorized drivers
supervisors
jump
remain seated
low
high
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Inspection, Operation, and
Maintenance—Questions?
• Inspection procedures?
• Operating procedures?
• Vehicle maintenance?
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
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
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408