Many accidents happen not while driving but while handling the load: a pallet that slides off the forks, a stack that falls on a person, a worker standing under raised forks. The standard has clear rules for loading in paragraphs (o) and (m).
Before you lift
- Know the weight. Handle only loads within the rated capacity of the truck ((o)(2)). Check the capacity plate, and remember that attachments reduce the capacity.
- Check the load. Only stable or safely arranged loads may be handled ((o)(1)). Look at the pallet for broken boards. Look at the stack for leaning or loose items. If the load is unstable, wrap, band or re-stack it, or ask for help.
- Long or high loads. A load that is long, tall or stacked in several tiers can change the truck's capacity, and you must adjust for it ((o)(3)). Take extra care with off-center loads that cannot be centered.
- Use a load backrest whenever needed so that the load cannot fall back toward the operator ((m)(10)).
Picking up the load
- Approach the load squarely and slowly.
- Set the forks level and spread them as wide as the load allows.
- Push the forks as far under the load as they will go ((o)(5)). A load held only by the tips of the forks has a long load center and may slide off.
- Tilt the mast back just enough to steady the load ((o)(6)).
- Lift just enough to clear the floor or rack, look around, and then travel.
Carrying the load
- Carry the load low, about the height your employer's rules set, and with the mast tilted back. On grades, the load is kept tilted back and raised only as far as needed to clear the road surface ((n)(7)).
- Never travel with the forks high. A raised load moves the center of gravity upward and the truck can tip.
- If the load blocks your view, follow your site's rule. Often this means traveling in reverse, with a look over the shoulder in the direction of travel, or using a spotter.
Tilting and stacking
- Be extremely careful when tilting, especially when stacking high ((o)(6)).
- Do not tilt the mast forward while the load is raised, except when picking up a load or placing it on a rack or stack. Tilting forward in the air can throw the load off.
- Use only as much backward tilt as needed to stabilize the load.
- When placing a load on a stack, put the load down squarely and back out slowly, so the forks do not drag the pallet.
- Check that the rack or stack can bear the load and is not damaged.
People and the load
Three rules protect people more than any others:
- No one may stand or pass under the elevated portion of any truck, loaded or empty ((m)(2)). Forks and loads can fall or be lowered without warning.
- Unauthorized persons may not ride on powered industrial trucks ((m)(3)). A rider on the forks or on the load is not protected by anything.
- Arms and legs must be kept inside the mast area. The employer shall prohibit placing arms or legs between the uprights of the mast ((m)(4)). Never reach into the mast or around the chains.
Also, when a person is standing in front of a bench or other fixed object, do not drive the truck up to the person ((m)(1)). The person would be crushed if the brakes failed.
Key points
- Know the weight, check the load, and stay within capacity.
- Forks under the load all the way, mast tilted back, load low when moving.
- No one under raised forks. No riders. Keep hands and feet inside the mast.
- Tilt forward only to place or pick up a load.