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Posted By: Yee Swat | May 05, 2023
FORKLIFT SAFETY TRAINING: EMPOWERING RISK PREVENTION AND ENSURING WORKPLACE SAFETY!
DO YOU KNOW….FORKLIFT SAFETY TRAINING PREVENTING RISK?
INTRODUCTION TO FORKLIFT
According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), powered industrial trucks, commonly called forklifts or lift trucks, are used in many industries, primarily to move materials. They can be used to move, raise, lower, or remove large objects or a number of smaller objects on pallets or in boxes, crates, or other containers.
Forklifts are an essential piece of equipment in many workplaces, especially in warehousing and manufacturing. Although these vehicles make work more efficient, they can pose serious hazards to those operating or working near them. Forklift truck operators must look in the direction of travel and keep the forklift under control at all times. Forklift operators and employees working around these operations are at risk of hazards such as collisions, falls, tip-overs, and struck-by conditions.
INCIDENT PREVENTION
Accessing warehouse storage shelves by lifting workers on pallets presents serious fall hazards. The employer must implement safe procedures and provide the proper equipment and training to prevent injuries and fatalities. Pallets are not designed for sitting or standing, nor should they be used for lifting workers with a forklift. Instead, employers should use manufacturer-approved personnel lifting platforms.
Taking the following steps can protect workers from forklift hazards.
- Always operate the vehicle according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Always wear a seat belt when the forklift has one.
- Never exceed the rated load and ensure it is stable and balanced.
- Do not raise or lower the load while traveling.
- Keep a safe distance from the platform and ramp edges.
- Be aware of other vehicles in the work area.
- Have clear visibility of the work area and ensure you have enough clearance when raising, loading, and operating a forklift.
- Use proper footing and the handhold, if available, when entering the lift.
- Use horns at cross aisles and obstructed areas.
- Watch for pedestrians and observe the speed limit.
- Do not give rides or use the forks to lift people.
FORKLIFT MAINTENANCE
- Remove from service any forklift found to be in unsafe operating condition.
- Keep forklifts in clean condition; free of excess oil and grease.
- Repair and maintain according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
TRAINING
The standard requires employers to develop and implement a training program based on the general principles of safe-truck operation, the types of vehicles being used in the workplace, the hazards of the workplace created by the use of the vehicle, and general safety requirements. To be effective, training must address the unique characteristics of the type of vehicle the temporary worker is being trained to operate. Prior to operating a powered industrial truck, employers must ensure that each operator has successfully completed the training. Trained operators must show that they can perform the job safely and proficiently by demonstrating these skills in a workplace evaluation.
Training must consist of a combination of the following:
- Formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video training, documents)
- Practical training (demonstrations and exercises performed by the trainee)
- Refresher training
- Evaluation of the operator’s performance in the workplace
- Certification of training and evaluation.
To know more, please feel free to contact Safetyware EHS Consultancy Sdn. Bhd. through:
📲: 012-498 7882
IN THE UPCOMING BLOG, WE WILL LOOK INTO FIRE FIGHTING TOPIC.
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