Operating a Regular Counterbalance lift truck
1 Carry out a pre-shift inspection before operating the machine. or OSHA guidelines state that a pre-shift checklist should be performed at the start of every work shift. Every different equipment and its attachments has its own checklist listing steering, brakes, emergency brakes, lights, horn, controls and safety features.
2 Start up the machine and check controls. First ensure your seatbelt is fastened and the seat is securely in place and adjusted for your comfort. Look beneath the machine after you move it for any indications of leaks. The operation of every type of forklift is different.
3 The basic operation of a machinery is really as opposed to a regular motor vehicle. The forklift has a rear end swing of the forklift occurs since the truck steers utilizing its rear wheels. Forgetting this fact is a main reasons for injuries and accidents to employees. The nearly 90-degree turn from the front wheels should be done with great caution. These top-heavy equipment have a high center of gravity even without a load. When moving or lifting a load this top-heaviness is exacerbated.
4 Keep forks near the floor when traveling. Utilize caution when approaching loads. Be certain the forks line up properly with the pallet. Lift the load only as high as is needed, tilting it back to help stabilize the equipment. Only drive backwards if the load is so bulky that it interferes with the vision of the operator.
5 Prior to unloading and loading, check the wheels on trucks/trailers. When carrying a load, it is not advised to travel on inclines. The machine is susceptible to tip-overs on a slope. When driving on a slope is unavoidable, always drive up the slope and back down. The load must be kept on the uphill side of the truck.
6 The operator must be firmly in control all the time. The primary reason for operator injuries is tip-over. The driver should never try to jump out of the truck in case of a tip-over. The safest method is to lean away from the direction of fall while holding the steering wheel and bracing your feet.