Fork Lift Assessment

How to Drive a Sit Down Forklift: Best Practices

ALWAYS wear your seatbelt NEVER play games with the equipment ALWAYS sound your horn before going through an intersection or when first starting to move ALWAYS yield to pedestrians NEVER assume that your forklift can be easily seen ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings Remember: operator training and certification are both class and application specific. If you are using familiar products in a new location or work application you must complete training for those specific uses. Every unique workplace can have its own rules and policies for safe operation. Be sure you know these before you using familiar equipment in those locations.

How to Drive a Sit Down Forklift: Before you Drive

Complete a daily pre-operation inspection. This easy walkthrough process checks for signs of wear or damage that could impact performance or safety. It should not take long, but this process is crucial for safety. Familiarize yourself with the equipment being used. Not only should you know where all controls are, you should also know the total capacity of the forklift. Make sure that fuel levels are ready to go! There's nothing worse than having to walk a long distance for another LP tank. Even if you have previously completed training on this class of products, take the time to get familiar with its unique features and design. Equipment features can vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer and assuming all features are the same can be very dangerous. If you have questions bring them to your supervisor and be sure to read the operator manual.

METHODS OF STOPPING A STAND-UP FORKLIFT

EMERGENCY BRAKE There is an emergency brake by the operator's feet called the "deadman's pedal." This will bring the forklift to an abrupt stop, but should only be used in the case of an emergency or when braking on an incline. Because this method stops the forklift so abruptly, using this can cause the load or the driver to become unbalanced. RELEASING THE HANDLE In most instances, operators will simply release the handle completely to stop the forklift. This will cause the forklift to roll a small distance, coming to a gradual stop. When an operator has a good feel for their machine, they will be able to know how early to pull back on the handle to come to a safe stop in time with this method. PLUGGING If an operator wants to stop a machine more abruptly without employing the emergency brake, they may use a technique called plugging. Plugging involves pulling the control handle in the opposite direction that it was traveling before. The forklift will come to a more gradual stop than the deadman's pedal, but the stop will be more sudden than releasing the handle. Mastering this technique requires continued practice with a machine.

It is permissible to let another person who does not have an operator's card operate your forklift for short periods if he says he knows how. | T | F |

False

It is permissible to overload the forklift by 25 percent if additional counterweights are used. | T | F |

False

IMPORTANT SKILLS FOR OPERATING A STAND-UP FORKLIFT

INSPECTION As with any forklift or heavy machinery, it is essentials that operators receive training about what to look for when inspecting a stand-up forklift. Operators should inspect the forklifts every time they use a stand-up forklift. Some of the aspects they should examine include: Whether tires are inflated properly Fluid levels Gas levels (if using a gas-powered forklift) Battery levels (if using a battery-powered forklift) Forks and mast Safety lights

How to Drive a Sit Down Forklift: While Driving

Remember - driving a forklift is nothing like driving your car. Rear-wheel steering means you need to slow down when turning and leave ample room for rear-end swing. Keep loads pointed up a hill whenever you are negotiating a grade to avoid spills or tipovers. You should also avoid lifting or lowering the forks while driving and you should never do so while handling loads - between the obscured visibility and decreased stability, it is best to do so only at a standstill.

IMPORTANT SKILLS FOR OPERATING A STAND-UP FORKLIFT

SECURING THE LOAD When securing the load on a stand-up forklift, you will want to ensure that the forks are correctly spaced. The width between the forks should be between one-half and three-fourths of the width of the entire load or pallet. STARTING A STAND-UP FORKLIFT To start a stand-up forklift, turn the key. When you tilt the control handle forward, your machine will immediately start to travel forward. This will happen rapidly, so operators should tilt the handle forward gradually to avoid crashing the forklift. STEERING When you are traveling forward in the forklift, turning the wheel to the right will turn the forklift right, and vice versa. When the forklift is operating in reverse, these controls may become inverted, requiring you to turn the wheel in the opposite direction that you want to travel in.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A STAND-UP AND SIT-DOWN FORKLIFT

Sit-down forklift controls are comparable to a car's controls, with a steering wheel and multiple pedals. Stand-up forklifts use a lever instead of a steering wheel and typically only have a single pedal. Along with operational differences, stand-up forklifts are also more maneuverable than their sit-down counterparts. They are often smaller and can make sharper turns. Along with this, they allow operators a full range of visibility when they need to travel backward. Because they allow operators to be closer to the ground, operators are less likely to be injured when they leave the forklift. This makes stand-up forklifts ideal for situations when operators need to exit the forklift frequently.

I cannot exchange a propane cylinder on a forklift unless I have been trained. | T | F |

True

I must be re-certified as a forklift operator at least every 3 years. | T | F |

True

I must use the box marked "forklift propane exchange box" when exchanging a cylinder and never for anything else. | T | F |

True

If you are not able to see because of a large load in front of you, it is better to drive backwards than try to see around it on one side. | T | F |

True

Parked forklifts should never block fire equipment, fire doors or exits. | T | F |

True

Slippery spots caused by oil and water may increase braking distance or cause loss of steering control. | T | F |

True

The load should not be handled if it is unstable or insecure and might come loose while being moved. | T | F |

True

The maximum allowable load should be shown on the nameplate of the forklift. | T | F |

True

When loading a highway truck or trailer, chock or block the wheels even if the driver says he set the brakes. | T | F |

True

When taking a load up a ramp with greater than a 10 percent slope, the forks should be on the up side. | T | F |

True

When traveling with a load, the mast should be tilted back. | T | F |

True

From a safety standpoint, one of the most serious forklift defects is: a. Brake failure b. Low fuel or battery charge c. Broken horn d. Worn tires

a. Brake failure

The rear-end steering of forklifts: a. Causes the rear end to swing more than an auto b. Is about the same as an auto c. The rear end swings less than an auto d. Allows the forklift to take sharp turns at high speeds

a. Causes the rear end to swing more than an auto

When you are finished using the forklift, you must: a. Lower forks to the ground, apply brakes, turn off power, apply charger (if needed) and return key to key box. b. Leave forks 12" or more off ground, apply brakes and turn off power. c. Sign out forklift.

a. Lower forks to the ground, apply brakes, turn off power, apply charger (if needed) and return key to key box.

When following another forklift it is best to keep behind: a. About one forklift length b. About three forklift lengths c. About 10 feet to 12 feet d. Close enough so the other operator can hear your horn

b. About three forklift lengths

6. If you leave a forklift unattended, even with the power off, you should: a. Ask someone to tell you if it starts to move b. Be in clear view of it and no more than 25 feet away c. Be no farther away than 45 feet if you're helping load stock

b. Be in clear view of it and no more than 25 feet away

Forklifts should be inspected: a. Weekly b. Daily c. At the start and end of the shift d. When they start to develop trouble

c. At the start and end of the shift

If you are the first to use the forklift on any day, you must: a. Check fuel and oil levels. b. Wipe down seat or standing platform. c. Complete maintenance checklist.

c. Complete maintenance checklist.

When traveling on a level surface, the forks should be raised: a. At least 12 inches b. Between 12 and 18 inches c. No more than 6 inches d. High enough so the operator can see under the load

c. No more than 6 inches

To replace a forklift propane cylinder, you must: a. Wear rubberized gloves and eye protection. b. Turn service valve completely off. c. Place new cylinder index hole over the forklift's index pin. d. Use the box marked "Forklift Propane Exchange Box" e. All of the above

e. All of the above