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813 Construction Worksite Safety
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Guidelines and Best Practices

  • 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.
  • Follow safe operating procedures for picking up, moving, putting down and stacking loads.
  • Do not exceed the 5 mph speed limit, and slow down in congested or slippery surface areas.
  • Prohibit operator speeding, stunt driving and horseplay. Retrain or discipline as appropriate, and document.
  • Do not handle loads that are heavier than the capacity of the industrial truck.
  • Remove unsafe or defective forklift trucks from service.
  • Do not travel with elevated loads.
  • Assure that a rollover protective structure is in place.
  • Make certain that the reverse signal alarm is operational and audible above the surrounding noise level.
Make certain that the reverse signal alarm is operational and audible above the surrounding noise level.
  • Forklift truck operators demonstrate competence by successful completion of training and evaluation of driving skills.
  • Inspect forklifts before each use for proper condition of brakes, horns, steering, forks and tires.
  • Make sure powered industrial trucks (forklifts) meet American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards.
  • Make sure battery charging is conducted in areas specifically designated for that purpose.
  • Material handling equipment is provided for handling batteries, including conveyors, overhead hoists or equivalent devices.
  • Reinstall and properly position, and secure batteries in the forklift.
  • Do not permit smoking in the battery charging areas.
  • Prevent open flames, sparks or electric arcs in battery charging areas.
  • Provide training as necessary when an operator is assigned to drive a different type of truck.
  • When leaving a forklift unattended, fully lower the load and forks, place controls in neutral position, turn the power off and set the brakes.
  • Make sure there is sufficient headroom for the forklift and operator under overhead installations, lights, pipes, sprinkler systems, etc.
  • Ensure overhead guards are in place to protect the operator against falling objects.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

7-6. What must the operator do when leaving a forklift unattended?