Operating a Regular Counterbalance forklift
1 Prior to using the equipment, carry out a pre-shift check. Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines do state that pre-shift checklists need to be performed each day or every shift. Each and every different machine together with its attachments has its own checklist listing lights, emergency brakes, brakes, steering, horn, controls and safety features.
2 Start up the equipment and check controls. First ensure your seatbelt is fixed firmly and the seat is firmly in place and adjusted for your comfort. Look beneath the machine after you move it for any signs of leaks. The operation of every kind of forklift is different.
3 Don't forget differences in the basics of forklift operation as opposed to a standard vehicle. The forklift's rear end swing occurs due to the fact that the truck steers with its rear wheels. Forgetting this information is a main cause of injuries and accidents to workers. The nearly 90-degree turn from the front wheels must be done with great caution. These top-heavy machines have a high center of gravity even without a load. When moving or lifting a load this top-heaviness is exacerbated.
4 Keep forks close to the ground when traveling. Use caution when approaching loads. Be sure the forks line up correctly with the pallet. Lift the load just as high as is needed, tilting it back to help stabilize the machine. Drive backwards only if the load is so bulky that it obstructs the vision of the driver.
5 Check the wheels on trucks/trailers prior to unloading and loading. Do not travel on slopes, specially when lifting a load. The machinery could tip over on an incline. When driving on a slope is necessary, always drive up the incline and back down. The load must be kept on the uphill side of the truck.
6 The forklift driver should always be in firm control at all times. Tipping over is the primary reason for operator injuries. The driver should never try to jump out of the truck in the event of a tip-over. The safest method is to lean away from the direction of fall while holding the steering wheel and bracing your feet.