Using a Regular Counterbalance lift truck
1 Perform a pre-shift check before utilizing the machine. Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines state that a pre-shift checklist should be carried out at the beginning of each work shift. Each and every different machine as well as its attachments has its own checklist listing steering, brakes, emergency brakes, lights, controls, horn and safety features.
2 When starting up the equipment and check the controls, it is essential to ensure that the seatbelt is fixed firmly and the seat has been adjusted for your maximum comfort. Look beneath the equipment after you move it for any indications of leaks. The operation of every kind of lift truck 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 lift truck happens as the truck steers using its rear wheels. Forgetting this detail is a major cause of injuries and accidents to workers. The almost 90-degree turn from the front wheels should be made with utmost care. These top-heavy machines have a high center of gravity even without a load. When lifting or transporting a load this top-heaviness is exacerbated.
4 Keep forks near the floor when traveling. Use caution when approaching loads. Be sure the forks line up properly with the pallet. Lift the load just as high as is required, tilting it back to help stabilize the machine. Drive backwards only if the load is so bulky that it interferes with the vision of the operator.
5 Prior to loading and unloading, check the wheels on trailers/trucks. When lifting a load, it is not advised to travel on slopes. The machinery is prone to tip-overs on a slope. When driving on a slope is necessary, always drive up the slope and back down. The load should be kept on the uphill side of the truck.
6 The driver should be firmly in control at all times. The main cause of operator injuries is tip-over. The driver must never try to jump out of the truck in the event of a tip-over. The safest way is to lean away from the direction of fall while holding the steering wheel and bracing your feet.