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Load
Handling
Many
different types of loads are carried everyday by forklifts.
These loads range in sizes and weights. Some have to
be handled in a certain way, such as oversized loads.
When carrying a large load that blocks your forward
vision, you MUST travel in the direction that you, the
operator, can see in, such as with the load trailing
you, as required under OSHA regulation 1910.178(N)(4).
If for some reason you have to drive forward with a
load that blocks your forward vision, such as on a ramp
or incline that has an incline in excess of 10 percent,
then use a spotter. Learn to develop hand signals between
the operator and the spotter. If it is a noisy factory,
hearing may be difficult and the hand signals can help
to understand what the spotter is communicating to the
operator.
Only handle safe and secure loads. If a pallet that
has just been stacked looks unsafe to carry, then the
operator of the forklift should make sure that the load
is safe to be handled. For example, if a load is unstable,
too high, or leaning to one side, you, the operator,
should restack it, wrap or band the load before you
carry it down the aisle.
When this subject comes up in training, many operators
feel that since they didn't stack the load, they shouldn't
be responsible for it. But as mentioned above in Did
You Know?, your training taught you to handle only safe
and secure loads.
When traveling with a load down an aisle, make sure
your load is off the ground at least 4-6 inches, and
the mast is slightly tilted back for good stability.
Even when you have no loads on your forks, you should
still keep your forks off the floor and tilted back
to avoid hitting any protruding objects, such as railroad
tracks, curbing, or any pipes sticking out of the floor.
If the lift chains have stretched over time and your
forks are dragging on the floor, then you, the operator,
are required to lift your forks high enough to avoid
the dragging so you do not wear out your forks and cause
premature wear in your forks.
Use a load backrest to help minimize the possibility
of the loads falling rearward when removing a load out
of a high rack. Any loose loads that stick above the
load backrest extension should be wrapped or banded.
Your overhead guard on your forklift is designed to
protect an operator from small falling boxes or objects
only; it will not support a maximum load dropped on
it. But remember the bigger picture here, if the overhead
guard protected you, the load that fell could strike
someone standing nearby. So, as an operator, make sure
you keep all pedestrians far away from your lift truck
as you are lifting or lowering a load.
Be conscious of the load centers of a load. Always
keep the heavy end toward the back of your forks. Spread
your forks out as wide as possible to support the loads
you carry, for good support and balance. Make sure your
forks are at least 2/3 the length of the load that you
are carrying.
Be careful carrying liquid loads. A half-full container
of liquid is more unstable than a full one. If you were
to hit the brakes hard, all the liquid could move to
the front and cause the forklift to tip over.
When you attend a forklift safety training course,
many safety rules are taught to you, the operator. These
courses are designed to help keep you and your fellow
co-workers safe and to limit product damage. But remember,
it's up to you to follow these safety rules. When we
ignore these rules or feel it's someone else's job,
then that is when an accident occurs. Take the extra
steps to be safe.
Dave Bennett
Forklift Operator Trainer
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