2. Forklift Operator Safety

3. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Overview

4. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Session Objectives You will be able to: Understand how forklifts work Operate a forklift safely and skillfully Identify operating hazards Apply general principles of safe operation Properly inspect and maintain a forklift

5. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Why Forklift Training Is Necessary 100 fatalities each year 20,000 lost workday injuries annually Common injuries Hitting a pedestrian Tipping over Falling from raised forks Falling from a ladder struck with a forklift Falling material Training reduces injuries

6. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Regulatory Requirements According to 29 CFR 1910.178: Operator must receive training before operating a forklift Demonstrate competency Forklift characteristics Operating environment Inspection and maintenance

7. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Forklift Components

8. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Forklift Basics www.Lni.wa.gov Image Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services

9. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Forklift Characteristics Different from driving a car Rear of a forklift swings in opposite direction of the turn Forklift impact against objects magnified Driven backward as well as forward One hand on controls Image Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services

10. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Nameplate OSHA requires a legible nameplate It includes information about fork modifications and attachments It lists the maximum load capacity It describes the load center Image Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services

11. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Determine a Load’s Center of Gravity Center of gravity is the balance point Load center is the point where the heaviest part of the load is located Pick up loads at the shortest distance from the edge of the item to the item’s center of gravity and load center Image Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services

12. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Stability Triangle Stable forklift without a load Stable forklift with maximum load Unstable forklift with offset maximum load

13. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Combined Actions Center of gravity (COG) side to side COG forward COG backward Combination of two can cause tip-over

14. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Image Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services Attachments Change operating clearances Change capacity Change stability and load center

15. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Operating Hazards— Pedestrians Forklift accidents involving pedestrians may be caused by: Obstructed view Turning Speeding Pedestrian unaware forklift is present Carrying passengers and horseplay

16. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Operating Hazards— Environmental Conditions Operating nonelectric forklift in poorly ventilated area Traveling on ramps Crossing railroad tracks Slippery floors Operating on dirt or gravel Poor lighting

17. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Operating Hazards— Load Carrying Load-carrying hazards include: Working around loading docks Loads that block the forward vision Stacking and unstacking on racks

18. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 What’s Wrong Here? Identify the hazards

19. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Forklift Characteristics and Hazards—Any Questions? Any questions about the characteristics or basic features of a forklift? Any questions about the stability of forklifts? Any questions about the hazards specific to our workplace?

20. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Conduct a Preoperational Inspection Conduct a preoperational inspection Follow the inspection checklist Complete and sign the checklist

21. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Inspection Walkaround Check that the forklift is properly disengaged—forks down, key off, neutral gear, parking brake on Check left and right side—tires, lug nuts, axle, overhead guard, and no debris behind the mast Check front—forks, hoses, fork pins, backrest, mast, and chains Check rear—counterbalance and radiator

22. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Inspection Walkaround (cont.) Propane-powered forklift Check all oil and fluid levels Check fan belt, fan, and radiator Check tank, hose attachments, and tank clamp Electric-powered forklift Check the battery condition

23. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 While in the Operator Seat Make nonmoving checks—gauges, lights, horn, backup alarm, warning light, tilt-and-lift mechanism, and parking brake Make moving checks—seat belt, running brakes, and steering Look for oil or water leaks on the floor

24. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Operating a Forklift Authorized operators only Quickly report accidents Always wear seat belts No person under the forks Operate controls only from driver’s seat Never block exits or emergency equipment

25. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Tip-Over Safety Procedure Always wear your seat belt Hold onto the steering wheel Brace your feet Lean away from the fall Image Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services

26. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Loading and Unloading Never overload the forklift Check the weight of the load Locate the load’s center of gravity Inspect the load Restack unstable loads Tow from the rear towing pin www.lni.wa.gov/Safety Image Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services

27. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Traveling Look in the direction of travel Keep body inside cage Keep forks low when traveling Sound the horn Don’t speed Check clearance Image Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services

28. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Traveling (cont.) Avoid loose objects or holes Never carry passengers Pedestrians always have the right-of-way Keep a safe distance from the edge of ramps or docks Never eat or drink No horseplay

29. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Ramps and Railroads No turns on a ramp Load facing upgrade Go slow Cross railroad tracks diagonally Never park within 8 feet of the center of railroad tracks

30. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Docks Inspect the dock plate Check the trailer floor condition Make sure trailer wheels are chocked Ensure that the nose of the trailer is supported by the tractor or a fixed jack

31. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Parking Don’t block exits or aisles Lower the forks Set gear to neutral Set the parking brake Turn off the key

32. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Propane Refueling Highly flammable gas—do not smoke Report leaks immediately Distinct odor Hissing sound Frost on fittings Use gloves and safety glasses

33. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Battery Charging Charge batteries only in protected areas with ventilation Inspect battery connectors for damage No smoking Immediately clean up electrolyte spills Battery electrolyte is highly corrosive—wear PPE

34. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Inspection, Operation, and Maintenance—Questions? Inspection procedures? Operating procedures? Vehicle maintenance?

35. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0606 Key Points to Remember Facility hazards include pedestrians, environmental conditions, and loading/unloading Position loads close to the vertical backrest Always conduct and document a preoperational inspection Follow the safe operating rules of the road Always refuel/recharge in ventilated areas and wear proper PPE