Fork lift trucks-Tips

Powered lift trucks can be lethal and it is vital to ensure that all operators have been through a recognised training programme and are certificated. Steps must be taken to ensure that only trained and authorised people can use lift trucks e.g. by rigidly controlling the operating key system.

A fork truck operator had nearly finished loading a lorry when he went to the toilet leaving the key in the fork lift truck. The lorry driver asked a seventeen year old trainee to load the last pallet so that he could get away. As the trainee drove off the ramp on to the lorry the lorry driver drove forward, due to a mix up in communications, and the lift truck fell off the loading bay and killed the trainee.

The following problems can arise through the use of lift trucks:

Overturning either laterally or forwards can occur as a result of:

• maneuvering with an elevated load
• driving at too high a speed
• sudden braking
• turning at speed

• turning on a slope
• crossing ramps at an angle
• striking obstructions e.g. kerbs
• driving down a ramp with the load in front of the truck
• poor ground conditions e.g. with pot holes
• movement of live loads