Be Aware When Driving a Forklift Truck
Lift trucks are big industrial machinery making safety a main concern when driving these trucks. The forklift operators are required by law to be taught and qualified before driving these machinery. Anyone who misuses a lift truck truck could be charged with an offence. Abuse of this potentially dangerous machine can cause serious injury or death. Safe use of a forklift truck involves paying attention both to what is happening around the vehicle and to what is happening in the vehicle. Not different to driving a car, operating a forklift requires being aware of pedestrians and other vehicles and keeping your attention on the road.
Essential forklift driving tips
Accidents at the workplace are far too common. However, many mishaps are preventable by minimalizing the risks while working with heavy and dangerous equipment.
Most operating surfaces are somewhat uneven and rough are usually encountered while operating a lift truck. The largest dangers are dock platforms, dock bridges, pot holes, bumps, ramps and inclines. Forklifts are engineered to deal with rough surfaces, but it is up to the operator to keep control of the truck and to be on the lookout for these dangers.
Visibility is one of the crucial factors in forklift mishaps. The operator is responsible for ensuring clear visibility when using a lift truck by checking that mirrors are positioned correctly and that all windows are clean and unobstructed. If a load is placed in such a way that it obscures visibility for the forklift operator, then the operator should put the forklift in reverse and back down the ramp with care.
Operators are required by law to make sure that daily inspections are made to the forklift and its parts. Weekly, more thorough inspections should also be done. The forks, tires, brakes, engine and the rest should always be tested to ensure that they are correctly working. Proper testing can help to prevent mishaps and injury.