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Maintaining Truck Control
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How do you maintain control when handling pallets? Ensure that forks are: - level
- high enough to go into the pallet
- the proper width to provide even distribution of the weight
- all the way under the load
How do you maintain control when lifting, tilting, and stacking a load? - Lift the load straight until it is clear, then tilt back.
- Watch that the load does not catch on adjacent loads or obstructions.
- Do not raise or lower the forks before you stop the lift truck and set the brakes.
- Ensure that the forks are free of the load before backing up.
How do you maintain control when traveling? - Tilt loads backwards.
- Travel with forks as low as possible from the floor and tilted back.
- Match speed to driving, load and workplace conditions.
- Obey posted traffic signs.
- Decrease speed at all corners, sound horn and watch the swing of both the rear of the lift truck and the load.
- Watch for pedestrians.
- Avoid sudden stops.
|  | - Travel in reverse when a load blocks your vision and always look in the direction of travel.
- Check for adequate overhead clearance when entering an area or when raising the forks.
- Watch out for the following dangers on the floor or roadway: oil spots, wet spots, loose objects, or holes, rough surfaces, people, and other vehicles.
- Approach at an angle when crossing railroad tracks.
- Maintain a safe working limit from all overhead power lines
How should you steer to maintain control? - Has the load carried by the front wheels.
- Turn with the rear wheels.
- Do not turn a lift truck steering wheel sharply at fast speeds.
- Do not overload a lift truck. It can cause a loss of steering control.
- Do not add extra weight to a counterweight to improve steering.
|  | How do you maintain control when driving in reverse? - Face the rear.
- Sound horn before moving.
- Go slowly.
- Stop when vision is limited or blocked. Sound the horn and go slowly.
How do you maintain control when traveling up or downhill? - Keep the forks pointed downhill without a load.
- Keep the forks pointed uphill with a load.
- Do not turn until on level ground.
How should you park the forklift truck? - Secure lift truck when left unattended.
- Park in an approved location.
- Set the brakes.
- Lower the forks or load to the floor.
- Neutralize the controls.
- Turn off the motor switch.
- Disconnect battery or go through propane shut-down procedures.
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Document confirmed current on October 13, 2006
Document last updated on April 13, 1999
Copyright ©1997-2008 Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety
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