Guidelines and Best Practices
These guidelines and best practices can help ensure the safe operation of forklifts, minimize risks, and create a safer work environment for both operators and others in the vicinity.
Be sure to follow the guidelines and best practices below:
- Always use seat belts when operating a forklift.
Always use seat belts when operating a forklift.
- Do not allow employees to drive or ride in unsafe vehicles.
- Require employees to report any vehicle-related safety problems.
- Secure equipment and tools to prevent them from moving in a vehicle or make sure a barrier is in place to protect the passengers.
- Ensure that vehicles have working horns that can be heard above any surrounding noise.
- Make sure there is a backup alarm on any vehicle that has an obstructed view to the rear.
- Make sure the backup alarm can be heard above surrounding noise unless there's a spotter or it's certain that no one can enter the danger area.
- Train and certify all operators to ensure that they operate forklifts safely.
- Do not allow any employee under 18 years old to operate a forklift.
- Follow safe operating procedures for picking up, moving, putting down and stacking loads.
Follow safe operating procedures for picking up, moving, putting down and stacking loads.
- Properly maintain haulage equipment, including tires.
- Do not modify or make attachments that affect the capacity and safe operation of the forklift without written approval from the forklift's manufacturer.
- Conduct corrective and preventive maintenance in a timely manner.
- Do not exceed the 5 mph speed limit, and slowdown in congested or slippery surface areas.
- Prohibit operator speeding, stunt driving and horseplay. Retrain or discipline as appropriate, and document.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
7-5. What must you do to prevent forklift accidents?
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