Using a Regular Counterbalance forklift
1 Prior to using the equipment, carry out a pre-shift check. Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines do state that pre-shift checklists have to be performed every day or every shift. Every different machinery and its attachments has its own checklist listing brakes, steering, lights, emergency brakes, controls, horn and safety features.
2 Start up the equipment and check controls. Primarily ensure your seatbelt is fastened and the seat is firmly in place and adjusted for your comfort. Look beneath the machine after you move it for any indications of leaks. The operation of each kind of forklift is different.
3 The basic operation of a machinery is basically as opposed to a regular motor vehicle. The lift truck has a rear end swing of the forklift happens because the truck steers using its rear wheels. Forgetting this information is a major cause of accidents and injuries to workers. The nearly 90-degree turn from the front wheels should be done with great caution. These top-heavy equipment have a high center of gravity even without a load. When moving or lifting a load this top-heaviness is exacerbated.
4 When traveling, keep the forks close to the floor and utilize care when approaching loads. Make sure that the forks line up with the pallet. Lift the load only as high as is necessary, tilting it back to help stabilize the equipment. Only drive backwards if the load is very big that it obstructs the vision of the driver.
5 Prior to unloading and loading, check the wheels on trucks/trailers. When lifting a load, it is not advised to travel on inclines. The machinery is susceptible to tip-overs on a slope. When driving on a slope is unavoidable, always drive up the incline and back down. The load should be kept on the uphill side of the truck.
6 The operator must be firmly in control at all times. The main reason for operator injuries is tip-over. The driver must never try to jump out of the truck in case 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.