Important tips for operating a Forklift Safely
Published on : Saturday 01-02-2020
Contributed by Hemant Sethi, Country Head India, British Safety Council India
Forklifts are indispensable in the transport of heavy material over short distances such as
from one site to another within a factory or warehouse. The hydraulic valves can be
controlled either electrically with or manually through a set of levers.
A forklift must be controlled and operated by a skilled forklift operator. Due to its rear-wheel
steering, operation of a forklift is different from driving a regular vehicle. Forklifts are
potentially dangerous vehicles to operate, and can even be involved in fatal accidents.
Occupational safety regulations need to be followed when operating a forklift. It is
recommended that operators go through a certified training course in order to be deemed fit
to operate a forklift vehicle.
Nevertheless, there are certain common-sense precautions that must be followed, and these
should be taken seriously not only by the operators but even by their supervisors.
Demarcation of Zones
The zones where a forklift operates should be clearly demarcated so that people do not stray
into its path. The vehicle itself should have anti-slip surfaces especially on footholds where
the operator has to transfer weight from one foot to the other. Grab handles must be designed
so that the operator gets a firm grip on them while mounting and dismounting the vehicle.
Alertness of Operators
A forklift operator must be extremely alert and focussed. He should be well composed and
drive the vehicle slowly, always looking out for potential hazards. He should be thoroughly
familiar with the vehicle and its salient features. It goes without saying that forklift operators
should avoid consuming alcohol or any substance that is likely to interfere with their alertness
before operating a forklift.
Blades Position
The angle of the blades should be adjusted so that if the load slides, it slides backwards
towards the forklift and not onto the road ahead. Yet, care has to be taken that the load merely
slides backwards and does not bang into the vehicle. The height of the load should be
adjusted so that the operator can see where he is driving. A low load also brings stability to
the vehicle.
Proper Exits
Before moving the forklift, the operator should ensure that there are no obstructions in his
path. Exits should be wide enough to allow for passage of the vehicle and the protruding load.
The height and width of the load should be well below any overhead obstacles such as the
beam of the gate or bulky storage items.
Loads should not be stacked loosely on the blades. They should be tightly strapped to avoid
tumbling off the vehicle when it is in motion. It is important to set the emergency brakes
when stopping. All personnel should be away from the vehicle when the load is being
lowered.
But even when companies comply with all aspects of safety and risk assessment, forklift
accidents take place.
Regular Audits
Internal communication within the organisation is very important. All employees should be
familiar with the organisation's occupational health and safety policy. Periodic safety audits
should be undertaken and corrective action taken to address any anomalies.
Occupational health and safety should be a top-down approach. Line managers should ensure
that the safety policy of the company gets translated into action on the ground. There should
be a clear chain of responsibility and accountability.
Safety Training
Safety training should not be a requirement for the operators alone. Line managers may not
drive the trucks, but they are key enablers, and have bearing on the behaviour of the
workforce. They should be trained to identify potential dangers and impose corrective action.
Regular monitoring of safety compliance should be part of a line manager's job description.
Companies should be proactive in investing time and resources in staff training. It may not
always be possible to recruit staff with the right skills; but existing staff can be equipped with
these skills so that they are well prepared to meet the challenges head on. Moreover, skilling
of staff can be a great motivator for employees and can help retain talent within the company.
Clear Standard Operating Practices
The company should have clear standard operating practices and all staff should be familiar
with them. Staff should be encouraged to challenge each other and point out instances of
careless behaviour. Peer pressure is a good way for employees to internalise best practices.
Often, senior management is so target-driven that deadlines become all-important and health
and safety tend to get overlooked by 'overzealous' employees. This should be seen as a major
transgression of company regulations. It is better to take action against an errant employee
before any damage is done than to have to face long-standing legal issues if an accident does
occur.
The Indian acceptance standard IS 10517 - 1983 for forklift trucks, that was adopted on 30
March 1983, specifies guidelines on the basis of which forklift trucks should be tested. In the
preparation of this standard, assistance has been taken from BS 1727 : 1971 'Specification for
motors for battery operated vehicles', issued by the British Standards Institution (see
https://archive.org/details/gov.in.is.10517.1983/page/n5).
