Getting adjusted to a new job can be demanding and tiring, especially if it is your first time operating a Lift Truck A.K.A. forklift. Lift Trucks are very powerful machines, and those who have operating certificates need to be alert and aware while working. If you plan to go through Lift Truck training or have just become a Lift Truck operator yourself, these are some things that you should keep in mind to keep yourself and your coworkers safe.
Get The Right Training And Certification
Like any other type of vehicle or equipment, a Lift Truck has the potential to be dangerous if you don’t have the right professional training on how to operate the machine. A reputable Training Center will help you with all of the necessary Lift Truck training brought to you by experts from the industry. They can help you make your dream of becoming a Lift Truck operator come true. You will be able to get a certificate when you complete your course.
Don’t forget the 7 classes of Lift Truck. Ensure you have the appropriate training for the class of Lift Truck you will use.
Perform a pre-operation check of your Lift Truck ruck Every Time Before You Start Driving It
It is a legislative requirement that at the beginning of each shift a documented pre-use inspection is completed. If you take over the Lift Truck from another operator during that shift. Your employer may not require you perform a full inspection, It is best practices to perform a walk around as a minimum, We have witnessed the previous operator had an incident with the Lift Truck or didn’t notice a malfunction during the pre-shift inspection. This will help you stay on top of things and allows you to catch any issues before you go to ensure that you, the Lift Truck and the cargo remain as safe as possible. If you find out that there is something wrong with your machine, you will be able to let your employers know to help you avoid any mistakes or accidents from occurring. If the Lift Truck is unsafe to use it must be locked out, until it is repaired, so that no one else can use it.
Use An Open Area To Practice Driving
Practice makes perfect, and driving a Lift Truck is no exception. All of the best Lift Truck drivers have spent some time practicing driving while they are going through their Lift Truck certification training. Lift Trucks can be heavy and intimidating machines, and being neglectful or making mistakes can cause some major damages and death
Understand Your Main Route
As a Lift Truck operator, you will need to understand your route well. This is very important when you will be operating your Lift Truck outside. Having a good understanding of the route will help you anticipate any obstacles you need to avoid and avoid accidents and sharp or blind turns on the path.
Securing the load
One of the leading causes of incident and fatality involving Lift Truck are improperly secured load. The load shift during travel. Ensure your Lift Truck is within it capacity to lift the load. The load his secured. Event on palette the load can shift, ensure it secured. Check the plastic wrap or straps used to secure the load are in good condition. The forks of your Lift Truck should be kept close has low has ground condition allow and parallel to the ground.
If dealing with an awkward load take the time to find the appropriate securement or attachment to move it around. The new specific attachment for load like pipes for example that make the task of moving the pipes safer and faster.
Pedestrian Traffic
Every year workers are severely injured or killed because they were hit by La LiftTruck. Lift Truck are heavy machine, and some have limited visibility. Also, some like the electrical one is silent.
As an Operator you must alert at all times of the pedestrian traffic. Stop your movement if a pedestrian is not acknowledging your presence. Ask them to leave the area you are travelling. Work with your employer and OHS committee to identify an at-risk area and putting controls in place to avoid interaction with a pedestrian.
Double-Check Your Fuel And/OR Battery Levels Before You Start Operation
Part of your pre-use inspection ensures your vehicle battery level and fuel level are sufficient to complete the work shift. Lift Truck. If you fail to do this, you could run the risk of running out of fuel or battery right in the middle of things. You could even be risking the lives of pedestrians around you or cause damage to befall the goods if your lift truck were to suddenly stop or malfunction.
Going through Lift Truck operator training will help you understand more clearly the nuances of operating a Lift Truck and help you sharpen your skills.