FORKLIFT

DRIVING
AND
OPERATION
COURSE
 OBJECTIVES
• After this session, the trainees will be able to:
– Familiarize with the operational heavy equipment
safety regulation
– Be an effective and safe equipment operator
– Gain certain knowledge and skills to the best of
identifying risk in operation
– Practice basic compliance involves common safety
practices, inspection and maintenance
 TOPICS
• Introduction
• Safety Legislation
• Safety Inspection
• Operational checks
• Safe refueling
• Safe Forklift Operation
• Forklift capability and limitation
• Cargo loading and discharging practices
• Cargo positioning and lifting
• Safe driving practices
• Forklift Maintenance
INTRODUCTION
 INTRODUCTION
A forklift truck  is a powered
Industrial truck used to lift and transport
materials.
The modern forklift was developed in
the 1920s by various companies and since
then become an indispensable piece of
equipment in moving cargo, manufacturing
and warehousing operations.
 INTRODUCTION
Forklift driving is a serious business, OSHA
estimates that there are nearly 70 thousand
accidents involving forklifts per year, which
includes over 100 deaths.
Although the principles of driving seem simple
and similar to a car, proper training and
experience is a necessity for safety and
accident free operation.
 INTRODUCTION
It requires that all forklift operators
complete a formal instruction class and be
evaluated in the work place.
Most forklifts are used in the workplace
and, as such, operation is under the direction
of the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA).
 SAFETY
LEGISLATION
 SAFETY LEGISLATION
Legal Responsibilities
Employers: Reducing The Risks
You are responsible for providing:
• A safe work environment
• Safe systems of work
• Safe and well-maintained machinery.
• Proper information, training and supervision.
 SAFETY LEGISLATION
What employers can do
• Do a risk assessment where you will be
working, to determine a suitable forklift.
• Get the manufacturer’s information about
your forklift’s limitations.
• Capacities at different lift height and positions.
• How the limiting capacity was determined.
 SAFETY LEGISLATION
Employees: Reducing The Risks
You have responsibilities. You must:
• Work with your employer and co-workers to
improve safety.
• Comply with reasonable instructions, training
and information given, and follow safe work
procedures to do your work
• Not put yourself or your co-workers at risk.
 SAFETY LEGISLATION
Employees: Reducing The Risks
• Report accidents, near misses and hazards
(including unsafe equipment) to your
employer or supervisor and employees’ safety
representative
• Use protective equipment correctly.
• Report accidents, near misses and hazards
(including unsafe acts)
 SAFETY LEGISLATION
The SAFE Risk Management
• S - Spot the hazard (workplace environment)
• A - Assess the risk (potential risk)
• F - Fix the problem (control risk)
• E - Evaluate the results (Review your control
measures)
 Function of a forklift
• Forklifts are designed so that product can be
stored in racks as high as 30 to 40 feet,
maximizing warehouse space.
• The forks are attached to the mast, which
moves the product up and down, by a
telescopic hydraulic cylinder.
• With hydraulic cylinders that allows the mast
to tilt.
 Function of a forklift
• The third hydraulic cylinder is for a side shift,
which is used for positioning.
• A telescopic hydraulic cylinder is a system that
allows the lift to elevate the product by
allowing the hydraulic cylinder to slide inside
one another like sections of a telescope,
creating a further distance of lift.
 IDENTIFYING
FORKLIFT TYPES
AND COMPONENT
STRUCTURES
 TYPES OF FORK LIFT
Counter balance fork lift
The counter weight at
the rear of the truck offsetting
the load to be lifted at the
front. It is the most common
type of forklift truck.
The forks protrude from the front of the
machine with no outrigging legs or arms.
 TYPES OF FORK LIFT
3 Wheel counter balance forklift trucks
It works the same as the
regular counter balance.
It has a single wheel at the
center of the rear that
ensures maximum
maneuverability .
It is used when the space is limited and can be use
both indoor and outdoor and rack loading.
 TYPES OF FORK LIFT
Reach Truck
Designed for warehouse
operation. It offer maximum
lift height with excellent
manouevrability.
It does not require weight counter balance
because of its stabilising legs and batteries as
ballast.
 TYPES OF FORK LIFT
Hand pallet truck
The lifting , lowering and
travelling of load is done
manually.
Powered pallet truck
It operate similar principle
as hand pallet trucks. The lifting
of the load and truck movement
is powered by the electric motor
with in the machine.
 TYPES OF FORK LIFT
Side loaders
Trucks that operates by
picking up their load from
the side. Excellent in
handling wide or long loads,
such as timber, piping and sheets.
It offer limited flexibility for handling more
conventional loads.
 TYPES OF FORK LIFT
Tele trucks
It has an extending
mast operating on a boom
rather than a standard
straight mast that is found
on counter balance or
reach truck.
 TYPES OF FORK LIFT
Reach Truck : These are
narrow-aisle forklifts
that usually run on
electricity. They are
designed for pallet
storage , and can lift
loads up to a height
of 40 ft..
 TYPES OF FORK LIFT
Order Selector : These are
very narrow-aisle trucks
that are useful for moving
racked loads which are
smaller than the pallet size.
They can lift both the load
as well as the truck
operator to a height of 40 ft.
 TYPES OF FORK LIFT
Swing Mast Trucks: These are
vehicles with narrow aisle.
They are similar in
appearance to standard
trucks. However their mast
can swing up to 90° in one
direction only.
 TYPES OF FORK LIFT
Electric forklifts: These run
on batteries that need to be
charge electrically and
suitable to be used indoors.
They can`t lift loads greater
than 15,000 pounds,
and have a slower
acceleration.
 TYPES OF FORK LIFT
Logging and Timber forklift
 TYPES OF FORK LIFT
Reach Stacker: It is used handling intermodal
cargo containers.
 COMPONENT STRUCTURES
A. Mast -Is the vertical assembly
that support in lifting or
lowering the load.
B. Lift cylinder – It is hydraulic
operated to lift and
lower the load.
C. Load backrest - prevents
the load from falling on the operator.
 COMPONENT STRUCTURES
D. Fork carriage - Is the component
to which the forks and the
load back rest are mounted.
It is attached in the mast rails
by means of chains or directly
connected to hydraulic cylinder
and it moves up and down.
 COMPONENT STRUCTURES
E. Forks - It is attached to
the carriage which support
the load up and down
by a telescopic hydraulic
cylinder.
F. Tilt cylinder - Used to tilt mast
forward. Push forward to
tilt forward, pull backward
to tilt backward.
 COMPONENT STRUCTURES
G. Over head guard – Protects
the operator from
falling objects.
H. Driver`s seat – The driver is
positioned
during operation.
I. Drive wheels and axle – It makes
the forklift move forward
and backward.
 COMPONENT STRUCTURES
J. Steering axle and wheels – It
makes the forklift change
its direction.
k. Counter balance. Is a mass
attached to the rear of the
forklift truck frame.
The purpose of the
counterweight is to
counterbalance the
load being lifted.
L. Warning light – It warns pedestrians and other vehicles of forklift
operation.
 COMPONENT STRUCTURES
Forklift controls
Inching brake pedal – This pedal
is located on the left side of
the steering column and works
as a clutch pedal.
 when the pedal is depressed
slightly the engine power is disconnected. When depressed
further, brake begins to operate.
Note: Do not over use the inching brake pedal it may cause
automatic transmission oil to overheat or the clutch to slip if it
is used as a foot rest or used for a long time.
 COMPONENT STRUCTURES
Brake pedal – The lift truck is
equipped with a conventional
brake pedal and located
at the middle of the
steering column.
 COMPONENT STRUCTURES
Accelerator pedal – The accelerator
pedal is located in a convenient
position to the right of the
steering column.
 COMPONENT STRUCTURES
Forward /Reverse lever – The
forward reverse lever is
used to make a directional
change.
 To move forward , push
the lever forward, to back up ,
pull the lever backwards through NEUTRAL.
 COMPONENT STRUCTURES

Lift lever – Used to lift and

lower the loads. Push
forward to lower pull
backward to lift.
Tilt lever – Used to tilt mast
forward. Push forward to
tilt forward, pull backward
to tilt backward.
 COMPONENT STRUCTURES
• Side shifter - is a hydraulic attachment that
allows the operator to move the tines (forks)
and backrest laterally.
 Attachments
Roll and Barrel Clamp Attachment - It is used for
handling barrels, or paper rolls.

Pole Attachments - a long

metal pole is used.
 Attachments
Jib Crane Attachment – Used
to lift and position heavy
loads in the same way
cranes do.

Man basket attachment – Used

to lift a person.
 Attachments
Long spike – Used to extend
the forks and
are easily fitted over
standard forks.
 Wheels and Tires
Types of tires
Pneumatic tire – for outdoor
tractions similar to heavy
duty truck tires , filled with
air and mostly used by rough
terrain forklift due to their rugged
durability and long life span.
Cushion tires – have a lower Solid rubber
roll resistance and eliminate
the risk of getting puncture with soft core
and or stable for indoor use and
perfect use for electric forklift.
Solid tires – provide
consistency and increases
lateral stability and great for indoor
Solid
or light outdoor use. It is not recommended
for long rough terrain use. rubber
wheels
PERFORMING VISUAL
CHECK OF THE
EQUIPMENT
AND
THE BLOWAF CHECK
 VISUAL CHECK
 It is a means of inspection of equipment
using human senses such as vision, hearing,
touch, and smell.

 There are pre-operational and operational

checks you can do before and after starting
the forklift.
 VISUAL CHECK
Pre – operational check
- Battery is fully charge
- Lights are properly working
- Oil for gears are full.
- Water in the radiator
- Air pressure of the tire.
- Fuel for engine must be full.
 VISUAL CHECK
Pre – operational check
- General condition and cleanliness.
- Chain anchor pins are
not worn , loose or bent.
- Forks is in proper position ,
not bent ,no cracks, carriage
teeth not broken chipped or worn.
 VISUAL CHECK
- Bolts , nuts guards , chain or
hydraulic hose reels are not
damaged, missing or loose.

- Fire extinguisher is
present and charged.
 VISUAL CHECK
Pre-operational check
- No fluid leaks.
- Hoses are held securely,
not loose, worn or rubbing.
- Horn is working and loud
enough to be heard in
working environment and
other warning devices are
operational.
- Head lights and warning
lights are operational.
 VISUAL CHECK
Operational check
Upon starting the forklift truck check the following.
- Test the fork up
and down.
- Test the side shift from
side to side.[ if fitted ]
- Check the brake by moving
forward and reverse.
- Check the tilt forward and back.
 VISUAL CHECK
Operational checks
- Check the steering wheel
by turning right and left.
- Check for the back horn.
- Check the gages
( temperature, pressure ).
- Check the brakes and inching pedal.
- Check the hand or parking brake.
 VISUAL CHECK
• OSHA requires that all forklifts be examined at
least daily before being placed in service.
Forklifts used on a round-the-clock basis must
be examined after each shift.
• Report any damage or problems to your
employer, supervisor, manager or employee
safety representative immediately.
• If any damage or problems are noticed, isolate
the forklift so it cannot be used.
 VISUAL CHECK
How important is a daily forklift inspection?
  When you operate a forklift you are taking
responsibility for machinery that has the
potential to cause accidents, injury or even
death.
 Maintained correctly and kept
in a serviceable condition.
 CHECKING
FORKLIFT SAFETY
DEVICES AND
ACCESSORIES
 CHECKING FORKLIFT SAFETY DEVICES AND
ACCESSORIES
• Test brakes – That pedal holds and units stops
smoothly.
• Parking brake – That brake holds against slight
acceleration.
• Dead man`s brake – That brakes holds when
operator holds when operator rises from the
seat.
• Dash control panel – That all lights and gauges
are operational.
 CHECKING FORKLIFT SAFETY DEVICES AND
ACCESSORIES
• Steering wheel – That moves smoothly.
• Lift mechanism – Operates smoothly [ check by
raising forks to maximum height then lowering
forks completely]
• Tilt mechanism – That moves smoothly and holds
[ check by tilting mast all the way forward and
backward ]
• Cylinders and hoses – Not leaking after above
checks.
 CHECKING FORKLIFT SAFETY DEVICES AND
ACCESSORIES
• Listen for any unusual sounds or noise.
• Check that all warning devices
operates[ horn , indicator lights , rear and
brake lights , and the reverse alarm ].
• Mast – Check the mast tilts and back and
extends correctly.
Note: Report any problem identified in daily
check to the supervisor immediately.
FORKLIFT STABILITY,
CAPABILITY AND
LIMITATIONS
FORK LIFT CAPABILITY AND LIMITATIONS

Driving a forklift is different than driving a car

– In a car or truck the front wheels steer the vehicle.
A forklift has the steering wheels in the rear.
– The rear end of the forklift swings in a circle around
the front wheels that support most of the load.
– Rear steering makes it difficult to stop a forklift
quickly or swerve and still maintain control.
– It is important, then not to drive a forklift fast or
round corners quickly.
FORK LIFT CAPABILITY AND LIMITATIONS
Driving a forklift is different than driving a car
- If you drive a forklift on an incline, you must keep the
load on the uphill side.
- Otherwise, you may have no weight on the wheels
that steer and can lose control.
- The load could also fall off or cause the forklift to tip-
off.
- An overhead guard prevents an object on the forks or
on a high rack from falling onto the operator while
picking or placing a load at elevation.
FORK LIFT CAPABILITY AND LIMITATIONS

- Operator restraints or seat belts will hold you

in the seat if you strike an object or if the
forklift overturns.
- If your forklift begins to overturn, you are
safest when you stay in the seat, hold on firmly,
and lean in the opposite direction of the fall
rather than trying to jump.
- Many fatal accidents happened when the
operator tried to jump.
FORK LIFT CAPABILITY AND LIMITATIONS
- Forklifts are rated in size by the capacity of the
load that they can lift.
- They can lift heavy weight capacity due to a giant
counter weight located on the rear of the forklift.
- The counterweight balances the forklift when it
has a heavy load. A small forklift weighs about
9000 lbs., as much as two full-size pickup trucks,
and can lift 4000 lbs. 2:1 ratio.
FORK LIFT CAPABILITY AND LIMITATIONS

- As the load is raised, it becomes possible for

the forklift to fall to the side as well as to tip
forward.
- The operator must consider the center of
gravity of the forklift and load together.
- This combined center of gravity moves as the
load is moved and as the forklift travels over
surfaces that are rough or inclined.
FORK LIFT CAPABILITY AND LIMITATIONS

Driving a forklift is different than driving a car

– In a car or truck the front wheels steer the vehicle.
A forklift has the steering wheels in the rear.
– The rear end of the forklift swings in a circle around
the front wheels that support most of the load.
– Rear steering makes it difficult to stop a forklift
quickly or swerve and still maintain control.
– It is important, then not to drive a forklift fast or
round corners quickly.
 FORKLIFT STABILITY
Load Center, Stability Triangle
• The forklift’s load center
and capacity is printed
on the data plate.
• The data plate should have
the max load for each load
center already posted.
• The overall capacity of a
forklift is a function of the
load center and the weight
being carried.
 FORKLIFT STABILITY
Load Center, Stability Triangle
• The load center is the
distance from the face
of the forks to the center
of your load.
• Most warehouse forklifts
have a 24 inch load center
because most pallets are
48 inches long.
 FORKLIFT STABILITY
Stability Triangle
 A line between the two
front tires of the forklift to
the center point of the
rear axle.
 This should form
a triangle and represents the
stability area of the machine,
and inside that triangle place a
small dot that will represent the
center of gravity for the forklift.
 FORKLIFT STABILITY
Stability Triangle
 The dot representing your
center of gravity (COG)
that will move forward as
a load is raised and side
to side as the forklift
is turned.
 If the COG should ever go
outside of the triangle, the
forklift will become unstable
and overturn.
 FORKLIFT STABILITY
• Do not overload your
truck or add extra
counterweight. 

• Match your speed to the

surface being driven on,
load and workplace conditions.
 FORKLIFT STABILITY
• Be aware of your load
center or the load length.
• If your forklift is rated to
lift a load of 5000 lbs at
a 24” load center, and
you need to lift the same
weight load with a longer
length, the load is going
to tip the forklift forward.
 FORKLIFT STABILITY
Inch Pound Equation
• There will be times, when the load center will be
greater than 24".
• When this happens, you must determine the
maximum capacity for the truck using the new
load center.
• To do this, you must use the "Inch Pound
Equation".
(A + B) x C = Inch Pounds
 FORKLIFT STABILITY
• Where:
  A  = the distance (in inches)
from the center of the front
wheels to the face of the forks
B  = the Rated Load
Center (LC) (in inches)
C  = the truck's capacity
at the Rated Load Center
(in pounds)
 FORKLIFT STABILITY
• Determine the load center of the item or
material you are attempting to lift.
 FORKLIFT STABILITY
• If your forklift has a rated load capacity of
5,000 pounds, this capacity is based on a load
center of 24 inches from the backrest and 24
inches above the forks.
• This capacity will change as the
load is raised, or the forks are
tilted forward.
 FORKLIFT STABILITY
• If your load center is 48
inches from the backrest
and 24 inches from the
forks, your load capacity
will be greatly reduced.
• The further the load center
is from the back rest the
lower your lifting capacity will be.
 FORKLIFT STABILITY
 The center of gravity of the forklift-load
combination can move outside the stability
triangle if:
– the load is picked up
on the tip of the forks
– the load is tilted forward.
– the load is tilted too far
back when raised,
 FORKLIFT STABILITY
 The center of gravity of the forklift-load
combination can move outside the stability
triangle if:
- the load is wide.
- forklift movement causes
the center of gravity to shift.
-forklift moving while raising the load
 FORKLIFT STABILITY
Causes of tipping
• Driving fast
• Turning sharply
• Turning on sloping ground
• Travelling with load raised
• Working on uneven or sloping ground
• Carrying an unevenly balanced load
• Travelling across an incline
• Braking too hard when turning
• Flat or under inflated tyres
 FORKLIFT STABILITY
Forklift may tip forward if :
• It is overloaded
• The operator brakes too severely
• The mast tilt is used incorrectly
• The load is not positioned
against the heel of the fork arms.
FORKLIFT JOBSITE
AND WORKING
CONDITIONS
 FORKLIFT JOBSITE AND WORKING
CONDITIONS

3 Factors which form the basis of safety at work

1. Removal of dangerous situations

2. Putting a stop to dangerous actions

3. Use of personal protective equipment

 FORKLIFT JOBSITE AND WORKING
CONDITIONS
Accidents
— Are unplanned events that can or may lead to
personal injury, damage to property, cargo loss,
danger to the worksite personnel or even death.

Types:
1. Avoidable — those that can be prevented or
controlled by supervision.

2. Unavoidable — Those that cannot be controlled or

caused by nature such as typhoon, earthquakes, etc.
 FORKLIFT JOBSITE AND WORKING
CONDITIONS
CAUSE AND EFFECT
Lack of knowledge/training about a job, task
or procedure trying to save time, taking
shortcuts
Proper equipment not available
A belief that an unsafe practice is
acceptable, and nobody has ever corrected it
“It can’t happen to me”, or “it won’t happen
this time”
 FORKLIFT JOBSITE AND WORKING
CONDITIONS
CAUSE AND EFFECT
Peer pressure
You are distracted from your job by things
and others
Time is money, and I have to finish as
quickly as possible
Conditions change during the job and
nobody takes the time to talk about them.
 FORKLIFT JOBSITE AND WORKING
CONDITIONS
• Learning the safe way to operate a forklift may save your life.
• it is a powerful tool that allows one person to precisely lift
and place large heavy loads with little effort.
• However, there is great risk of injury or death when a forklift
operator:
– has not been trained in the principles of physics that allows a
forklift to lift heavy loads,
– is not familiar with how a particular forklift operates,
– operates the forklift carelessly, or
– uses a forklift that is not safe due to malfunctioning, or missing
parts.
 FORKLIFT JOBSITE AND WORKING
CONDITIONS
• Every year nearly 100 workers are killed and
20,000 are seriously injured in forklift mishaps.
The top four types of incidents as a percent of
the total forklift related deaths are:
• Type of Incident % of total victims
– The forklift overturns 22%
– A worker on foot is struck by the forklift 20%
– A person is crushed by a forklift 16%
– A person falls from a forklift
 FORKLIFT JOBSITE AND WORKING
CONDITIONS
Surface condition
 The surface a forklift operates on can cause
serious safety problems.
 A soft dirt surface can cause a wheel to sink
and destabilize an elevated load and the forklift.
 Any surface a forklift drives on must be able to
support the forklift and its load with a safety
factor of four.
 FORKLIFT JOBSITE AND WORKING
CONDITIONS
Surface condition
 If a 7,000 pound forklift is carrying a 3,000
pound load then the floor must be able to
support 40,000 pounds.

 Remember that the full weight of the load

plus the weight of the forklift may be centered
near a single wheel.
 FORKLIFT JOBSITE AND WORKING
CONDITIONS
Note:
– An untrained operator of a forklift can be as
dangerous as an unlicensed operator of a motor
vehicle.
– The regulations require that the employer ensure
that a forklift operator is competent to operate the
forklift he or she is assigned to use.
– A refresher training must be given if the operator
has been involved in an accident, near miss or
unsafe operations.
 FORKLIFT JOBSITE AND WORKING
CONDITIONS
Operating and travelling
• Raise all lowered attachment
just cleared off the
ground [ 200 – 300 mm ]
• Release park break and
select forward or
reverse direction.
• Check that the direction
of travel is clear.
 FORKLIFT JOBSITE AND WORKING
CONDITIONS
Operating and travelling
• On entering or leaving
a confined space , sound
the warning devise to warn
personnel of the machine
movement.
• Test brakes and steering
for correct operation before
moving on roadways and into
operating cycles.
 FORKLIFT JOBSITE AND WORKING
CONDITIONS
Operating and travelling
• Operate a forklift only while
in the seat or operator’s
station. Never start it or
operate the controls while
standing beside the forklift.
• Never allow passengers unless
the forklift was designed for
a passenger.
 FORKLIFT JOBSITE AND WORKING
CONDITIONS
• Do not put any part of your
body between the uprights
of the mast or when traveling,
outside of the forklift frame.
• Always look in the direction
of travel and keep a clear view
of the travel path. Travel in reverse
if the load blocks your view.
 FORKLIFT JOBSITE AND WORKING
CONDITIONS
Operating and travelling
• Always observe posted
speed limits at your
workplace.
• A forklift should
not be driven faster than
a quick walking pace.
• Keep a distance of at
least three forklift lengths.
 FORKLIFT JOBSITE AND WORKING
CONDITIONS
Operating and travelling
• Do not pass a forklift
traveling in the same
direction if it is at a blind spot,
intersection or other
dangerous location.
• Never drive a forklift up to
anyone in front of a bench
or other fixed object.
 FORKLIFT JOBSITE AND WORKING
CONDITIONS
Operating and travelling
• Never allow anyone to walk
or stand under the elevated forks.
• Check that there is adequate
clearance under beams, lights,
sprinklers, and pipes for the
forklift and the load to pass.
 FORKLIFT JOBSITE AND WORKING
CONDITIONS
Operating and travelling
• Never engage in stunt
driving or horseplay.
• Avoid abrupt hydraulic
system movement which
could rupture hydraulic
hoses or de-stabilize the load.
 CARGO LOADING
AND DISCHARGING
PRACTICES
 CARGO LOADING AND DISCHARGING
PRACTICES
• The most important
safety consideration
when operating a forklift
is the stability of the forklift
when it is loaded.
• If the load became unstable ,
it may tip forward or tip side ways.
• It is essential that the load
in the pallet is stable and well
stacked before it is lifted and moved.
 CARGO LOADING AND DISCHARGING
PRACTICES
• Make sure that the
pallet is in good order.
• Broken pallet should
not be used.
• The load should have a
center of gravity that is:
- Low as possible in the load.
- Towards the back of the load.
- Centered across the load.
 CARGO LOADING AND DISCHARGING
PRACTICES
• Heavy objects should be
placed at the bottom
and to the rear of the load.
• Use strapping to secure
the load if there is a
chance of falling objects.
• No part of the load should
extend beyond the backrest
of the carriage , unless it
cannot possibly slide back
towards the driver.
 CARGO LOADING AND DISCHARGING
PRACTICES
• Keep the mast of the forklift
in an upright position
before inserting the
forks in to the pallet.
• Level the forks before
inserting it into the pallet.
• Insert the fork all the
way under the pallet.
 CARGO LOADING AND DISCHARGING
PRACTICES
• Adjust the forks as wide
as possible to fit the load
and to provide a more
even distribution of weight.
• Do not protrude the fork
past the back of a pallet
when stacking in tight areas.
Note: Do not exceed the recommended load limit of
you lift truck.
 CARGO LOADING AND DISCHARGING
PRACTICES
• Do not operate forklift
without load backrest or
overhead guard.
• Do not lift a load that
extends above the load backrest
• Do not move loads which
are poorly piled or stacked.
 CARGO LOADING AND DISCHARGING
PRACTICES
• ONLY raise or lower the forks
when stopped and
brakes applied.
• When depositing a load,
ensure the forks are free
of the load before you back up.
 CARGO LOADING AND DISCHARGING
PRACTICES
Tilting the mast
• Most forklift with
extendable masts will
be able to tilt the mast back.
• By tilting the mast the
combined center of gravity
is moved away from the
front axles and back inside
the stability triangle.
 CARGO LOADING AND DISCHARGING
PRACTICES
• Thus tilting the mast
of the forklift back
improves the stability
of the forklift.
• The mast should only be
tilted forward when required
to place fork arms under
loads or move out from
beneath loads that have
just been placed or when
placing load on a stack.
 CARGO LOADING AND DISCHARGING
PRACTICES
Loading or unloading on inclines
• Keep forks pointed downhill
when travelling without
a load on a ramp.
• Keep forks pointed uphill
when travelling with a
load on a ramp.
• Stay clear of edges of docks
or ramps. Have edges clearly marked.
• Do not tow or push trucks with a forklift.
 CARGO
POSITIONING
AND LIFTING
CARGO POSITIONING AND LIFTING
• Stack materials properly
for safe and efficient retrieval.  
• Be alert for materials
which may have been
stored improperly.
• Use extreme care
when tilting loads. 
CARGO POSITIONING AND LIFTING
• Tilting elevated forks
forward shall be prohibited
except when picking up a
load or where the load is
to be deposited.
•  Keep heavier materials
near floor.
CARGO POSITIONING AND LIFTING
• Notify supervisor if a
hazardous substance
is spilled, follow proper
procedure for clean up.
•  Do not start, stop, turn
or change direction suddenly
or at speed. 
 CARGO POSITIONING AND LIFTING
Raising the load
• When a load is raised,
the forklift is less stable.
Check that the overhead
clearance is adequate before
raising loads.
• Do not raise or lower the fork
unless the forklift is stopped
and braked.
• Lift loads straight up or
tilt back slightly.
• The operator must stay on
the forklift when the load is
in a raised position.
CARGO POSITIONING AND LIFTING
Transporting the load
• Travel at an appropriate
speed , it takes time to
stop a loaded forklift.
• Do not turn on slope as
you may over balance.
• Do not stop abruptly as
the load may shift.
• Do not drive over
uneven ground.
CARGO POSITIONING AND LIFTING
Maintaining control when travelling
• Tilt loads backwards
• Travel with forks as low
as possible from the floor.
• Match speed to driving ,
load and work place conditions.
• Obey posted traffic signs.
• Reduce speed at all corners ,
sound horns and watch the
swing of both the rear of the
lift truck and the load.
CARGO POSITIONING AND LIFTING
Maintaining control when travelling
• Watch for pedestrians.
• Avoid sudden stops.
• Travel reverse when
load blocks your vision
and always look in the
direction of travel.
CARGO POSITIONING AND LIFTING
• Watch out for the
following dangers on
the floor or roadway
[ oil spots, loose objects,
holes, rough surfaces,
people and other vehicles]
• Maintain safe working
limit from all overhead
power lines.
 Safe driving practices
• Do not drive with hands,
arms, head, legs or feet
outside the confines
of the forklift or between mast .
 Safe driving practices
• If you ever begin to tip, DON’T JUMP OUT ! ! !
Brace yourself, hold steering wheel tightly
with both hands, push yourself into the seat
and lean away from the fall.
 Safe driving practices
• Inspect condition of truck
or trailer before entering.
• Ensure the floors will
support the combined
weight of the forklift
and the load.
 Safe driving practices
Parking the machine
• Park on level ground.
• Keep well clear of
emergency exits and
allow clear access to
fire fighting equipment
and refueling points.
 Safe driving practices
• Lower all raised attachments
making sure that the
forklifts are touching
ground.
• Place all attachments,
control levers in neutral
or hold positions.
 Safe driving practices
• Do not allow lift chains
to go slack as they may
jump clear to the top
carrier rollers.
• Place the transmission
and forward / reverse
levers into neutral position
and apply any safety locks.
 Safe driving practices
• Apply park brake.
• If it is an LPG powered
forklift, turn off the fuel
isolating valve as this
prevents a build up of
explosive gases prior to
starting up again.
POST OPERATION
CHECKING
PROCEDURE
POST OPERATION CHECKING PROCEDURE

• General condition of the machine.

• Check the lifting chain anchor pins are not worn ,
loose or bent.
• Check hydraulic hoses are not damaged.
• Check tires for any wear and damage.
• Check the carriage teeth not broken, chipped or worn.
• Forks are not bent , no cracks.
Note: If any problems has been found report
immediately to the supervisor.
 MAINTENANCE
AND INSPECTION
 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
• Daily Visual and
Operational
Safety Inspection
•  An individual
checklist
should be developed
for each machine.
 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
• Forklifts use a hydraulic system to raise and lower their
loads.
• A hydraulic failure can result in not only costly material
damage.
• But also personal harm to operators and others working
in the area.
• Keeping the hydraulic system in good condition will
help prevent down time, unsafe work conditions and
will reduce wear and tear on many system components.
• If used daily, then check daily.
 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
• Make sure that all grease fittings are greased
regularly.
• On a forklift, this mainly includes all of the
moving joints.
• Pay attention to the gauges and warning lights
on the forklift.
• Any light or gauges that indicates a problem
should be checked out immediately.
Thank You
And
Good Day