A forklift is an industrial vehicle that is used to move and transport loads, pallets or containers. An operator is in charge of driving and operating it. It may seem easy to drive it because apparently, it is a small and slow machine, but it is not like that, it requires very specific safety measures, Car prices in Pakistan.
It is not just any vehicle that simply moves with a steering wheel, several levers and a pedal. It is an industrial work machine that moves in areas that are often complicated and full of obstacles, transports and transfers large loads, and can work with them at height.
A forklift can load 1,500 kg on its forks and reach a speed of 21 km / h. With these two basic data, it is easy to imagine that a minimal incident with that load and at that speed can turn into a very serious work accident.
Therefore, there are a series of essential rules that a driver must follow, who will also have been specially trained in the handling of this type of industrial vehicle.
10 basic safety rules for operating a forklift:
Operating a forklift is much more graceful than it sounds. Their technical characteristics and their equipment make this type of industrial vehicle delicate machines to use, both when driving and when loading. We insist: any precaution is little and we must take into account a series of basic guidelines.
There are many, most respond to common sense. Today we remind you of the 10 most important rules to keep in mind to safely handle a forklift.
Performs an initial check or service of the machine:
Isn’t it true that when you start driving a car, you check every detail? You adjust mirrors, seat position, check for fuel, etc. They are very basic routines that we tend to do with a lack of experience or insecurity but that, with practice, we abandon precisely because of excess security.
Avoid unnecessary risks:
Never drive the truck if you detect any problem in its operation, no matter how small. Also, do not do it if the environment is not suitable: if there are too many obstacles or stains or debris on the pavement. Safety always comes first.
Wear safe clothing:
To drive wheelbarrows it is advisable to wear a safety helmet, clothing with long sleeves and legs, resistant and flexible gloves, safety shoes, glasses and ear plugs (depending on the conditions of your company and if the Occupational Risk Prevention department does so). considered necessary).
Respect the speed limits:
It seems obvious, but you have to remember that a warehouse is not a circuit, nor is the truck a Formula 1 car. Respect the speed limits and drive the truck safely for yourself and for the rest of the vehicles and pedestrians that pass through it. environment.
Elevate caution in narrow aisles:
A narrow aisle complicates driving and cargo handling, so you must move through them very cautiously and, if necessary, ask other colleagues for help to give you directions.
Use the entire fork and not just the tips:
Never use the tips of the forks to push a pallet or lift a load. This is not safe at all because there is no adequate foothold. Utilize the entire base of the fork to handle loads safely.
Do not carry passengers:
It is VERY dangerous to carry another person in the truck. These vehicles are designed to transport cargo and not passengers. Only one person can get on it, so forget about transporting a colleague with the truck no matter how short the distance to travel.
Control the circulation of your workplace:
Look ahead at all times, but also left and right. Control even the rear if you reverse. Pay particular attention to driving in low visibility conditions because you are in a workplace and there are more people, machines and vehicles around you.
Respect the “loading rules”
Stack the load on the pallet or forks safely and correctly and, as cumbersome as it may be, use special preventive measures, when necessary, such as ties to secure the load. And NEVER transport loads that are not well secured, much less if they are elevated.
Keep the forks low:
Ride with the forks low a few inches off the ground. Keeping them elevated or leaning forward can pose a hazard while traveling or turning.
These are pretty obvious rules, right? Unfortunately, experience shows us that overconfidence is an added danger when driving forklifts, so these rules must always be taken into account and, when in doubt, EXTREME CAUTION.
