Forklift Safety Only forklift operators may operate the

Forklift Safety • Only forklift operators may operate the forklift. • In addition to written training, ALL forklift operators must receive and pass a live driver test to ensure comprehension of the written material

Forklift Safety PRE -QUALIFICATIONS FOR POWERED INDUSTRIAL TRUCK OPERATORS (PIT) All candidates for PIT operators must meet the following basic requirements prior to starting initial or annual training: • Must have no adverse vision problems that cannot be corrected by glasses or contacts • No adverse hearing loss that cannot be corrected with hearing aids • No physical impairments that would impair safe operation of the PIT • No neurological disorders that affect balance or consciousness • Must not be taking any medication that affects perception, vision, or physical abilities

Forklift Safety INSPECT THE FORKLIFT BEFORE EACH USE Do not use the forklift if any of the following conditions exist: • • • The mast has broken or has cracked weld-points. The roller tracks are not greased or the chains are not free to travel. The forks are unequally spaced or cracks exist along the blade or at the heels. Hydraulic fluid level is low. The hydraulic lines and fittings have excessive wear or are crimped. Fluid is leaking from the lift or the tilt cylinders. The hardware on the cylinders is loose. The tires are excessively worn or split, or have missing tire material. Air filled tires are not filled to the operating pressure indicated on the tire. The batteries have cracks or holes, uncapped cells, frayed cables, broken cable insulation, loose connections or clogged vent caps.

Forklift Safety CHANGING AND CHARGING STORAGE BATTERIES • • • Only charge batteries in designated areas. Handle batteries using a conveyor, overhead hoist, or equivalent material handling equipment this is provided. Properly position and secure reinstalled batteries Use a carbon filter or siphon to handle electrolytes. When charging batteries, pour acid into water; DO NOT pour water into acid. Properly positioned the truck and apply the brake before changing or charging batteries. Take care to assure that vent caps are functioning. Leave the battery (or compartment) cover/(s) open to dissipate heat. DO NOT SMOKE in the charging area. Prevent open flames, sparks, or electric arcs in battery charging areas. Tools and other metallic objects shall be kept away from the top of uncovered batteries.

Forklift Safety FUELING SAFETY • Fuel tanks shall not be filled while the engine is running. Avoid spillage. • Spillage of oil or fuel shall be carefully washed away or completely evaporated and the fuel tank cap replaced before restarting engine. • No truck shall be operated with a leak in the fuel system until the leak has been corrected. • Open flames shall not be used for checking electrolyte level in storage batteries or gasoline level in fuel tanks.

Forklift Safety Maintenance of Powered Industrial Trucks • Remove trucks not in safe operating condition. Repairs to be made by authorized personnel. • Repairs to fuel and ignition systems that involve fire hazards to be completed in designated areas. Replacement parts to comply with original truck specifications and design. • Inspect daily, report defects immediately. • If the temperature of any part of the truck is found to be in excess of its normal operating temperature, remove the vehicle from service. • Keep Industrial trucks in a clean condition, free of lint, excess oil, and grease. • Noncombustible agents should be used for cleaning trucks. Low flash point (below 100 deg. F. ) solvents may not be used. High flash point (at or above 100 deg. F. ) solvents may be used.

Forklift Safety SAFE OPERATION PROCEDURE FOR CHARGING LPG TANK • • No Smoking. Move LPG PIT outside for refueling. Turn off PIT. LPG tanks will be removed in the following order: – shut off service valve – disconnect tank from hose – unbuckle and remove tank from bracket • LPG tanks will be replaced in to following order: – place tank in bracket and re-buckle – reconnect hose to tank and tighten firmly – -open valve slowly and assure proper seal NOTE: Federal Law Prohibits dispensing an improper fuel type into any Vehicle or into a non-approved fuel container.

Forklift Safety SAFE OPERATION PROCEDURE FOR CHARGING LPG TANK OUT OF SERVICE In Case of LPG Leaks or Tank Rupture • DO NOT start or move the PIT. • If fuel hose is leaking, Close valve immediately and • place PIT "Out of Service" until repaired. • If tank ruptures, warn others, immediately leave the area (at least 50 feet) and notify Management. Do not re-enter the area until cleared by Management.

Forklift Safety TO START THE FORKLIFT Apply the foot brake and shift gears to neutral before turning the key

Forklift Safety PICKING UP A LOAD • Approach straight on with forks in travel position • Stop when tips about 1 foot from load • Level forks, drive forward until load rests against the backrest of the mast • Lift the load high enough to clear anything underneath • Back up 1 foot, slowly and evenly tilt the mast backwards to stabilize PUTTING DOWN A LOAD § “Square” up and stop 1 foot from desired location • Level the forks, drive to the loading spot • Slowly lower the load to the floor, tilting forks slightly forward • Back straight out until forks have cleared the pallet STACKING ONE LOAD ON TOP OF ANOTHER Use the same approach as above

Forklift Safety FORK LIFT SAFETY RULES • Do not use bare forks as a man-lift platform • Approach railroad tracks at a 45 angle when driving the forklift • Steer the forklift wide when making turns • Sound the forklift horn to warn your approach LIFTING • • • Do not exceed the lift capacity of the forklift Follow the manufacturer's guidelines concerning changes in the lift capacity Lift the load an inch or two to test for stability If the rear wheels are not in firm contact with the floor, take a lighter load or use a forklift that has a higher lift capacity Wait until you are in the loading area and have stopped before raising or lowering the load Raise the forks an additional two inches to avoid hitting or scraping the ramp surface as you approach the ramp

Forklift Safety DRIVING • Obey all traffic rules and signs • Drive with the load at a ground clearance height of 4 -6 inches at the tips and 2 inches at the heels in order to clear most uneven surfaces and debris • Drive at a walking pace • Do not drive into an area with a ceiling height that is lower than the height of the mast or overhead guard • Do not drive along the edge of an unguarded elevated surface • Do not exceed a safe working speed of five miles per hour. • Stay a minimum distance of three truck lengths from other operating mobile equipment

Forklift Safety • Drive in reverse and use a signal person when your vision is blocked by the load • Look in the direction that you are driving; proceed when you have a clear path • Do not drive the forklift while people are on the attached man-lift platform • Drive unloaded forklifts in reverse when going up a ramp and forward when going down a ramp • Drive a loaded forklift in a forward gear when going up a ramp; upon approaching the ramp, raise the forks an additional two inches to avoid hitting or scraping the ramp surface • Do not attempt to turn the forklift around on a ramp • Do not use a gear for the opposite direction of travel as a means to slow down or stop the forklift • Lower the mast completely, turn the engine off and set the parking brake before leaving your forklift

Forklift Safety TRAVELING • All traffic regulations shall be observed, maintain a safe distance from the truck ahead. • Yield to ambulances, fire trucks, or other vehicles in emergency situations. • Do not pass other trucks. • Slow down and sound the horn at cross aisles and other locations where vision is obstructed. • Cross railroad tracks diagonally wherever possible. Park no closer than 8 feet from the center of railroad tracks.

Forklift Safety • Look in the direction of, and keep a clear view of the path of travel. • Grades shall be ascended or descended slowly. • Operated the truck at a speed that will permit stopping in a safe manner. • Stunt driving and horseplay is not be permitted. • Slow down on wet and slippery floors. • Secured dock-board or bridge-plates before they are driven over. • Avoid running over loose objects on the roadway surface. • When turning reduced speed to a safe level by turning the hand steering wheel in a smooth, sweeping motion.

Forklift Safety LOADING DOCKS • Keep the forklift clear of the dock edge when backing up to the dock • Only start loading or unloading when the supply truck has come to a complete stop, the engine has been turned off, the dock lock has been engaged and the wheels have been chocked • Do not drive the forklift into the truck until the bridge or dock plate has been attached • Do not drive the forklift into a truck bed or onto a trailer that has "soft" or loose decking or other unstable flooring • Drive straight across the bridge plates when entering or exiting the trailer • Use dock lights or headlights when working in a dark trailer

Forklift Safety TRUCKS AND RAILROAD CARS • Check for breaks and weakness before driving onto trucks, trailers, and railroad cars • The brakes of highway trucks shall be set and wheel chocks placed under the rear wheels to prevent the trucks from rolling while they are boarded with powered industrial trucks. • Wheel stops or other recognized positive protection shall be provided to prevent railroad cars from moving during loading or unloading operations. • Use a fixed jack if necessary to prevent a semi-trailer from upending. • Ensure that railroad cars will not move while dock-boards or bridge plates are in position.