Safety tips when operating a forklift

A lot of things can go wrong when one is not keen when operating the forklift. Most forklifts weigh well over three tons, and they can reach a speed of 10mph. They can be of great help, but they can also be a source of danger. Hence, it is always wise to play it safe when it comes to considering forklift weight capacity; the tips below should be followed to stay safe.

Don’t be distracted
Operating a forklift requires your full attention, similar to driving a car. When you are distracted, it means that you do not pay full attention on the task at hand and by operating heavy machinery you can make a fatal mistake. Distractions could include making and picking up phone calls, focusing on what co-workers are doing or daydreaming about what you will make for dinner. It is critical that you maintain all your focus on the job at hand and leave the rest till you are done.

Operators should wear appropriate work wear
All operators should wear the appropriate safety work wear which includes hi-visibility jackets, a hard hat, and safety shoes. It is also critical that all clothes should be properly fitted because it is easy to get loose clothing caught on the machinery. It is also critical that you should wash off any grease on your hands before operating the fork lift. Operating the forklift with greasy hands can be dangerous because it can easily cause an accident.

Always examine the equipment before use
It is important that the operators make a routine check of the equipment before they can drive them. Some of the items that should be checked include the tires, controls, warning devices, brakes and the steering. In case you note damage to the equipment, notify the manager promptly and do not operate the forklift unless the necessary repairs have been made.

Training and refresher courses
To ensure that everybody is safe, the driver of the forklift and any other person working in the same space as the driver should be trained. In addition to the initial training, the forklift driver requires refresher training as well. These refresher training ensure that safety is at the forefront of the operator’s mind. It also helps to ensure that the workers are not complacent. Complacency is just as dangerous as distractions. Just because a person has performed a certain task several times, they should not think that they are incapable of causing an accident.

To operate a forklift one requires special training. There are so many safety tips that should not be taken for granted such as never allowing an unauthorized person to operate the forklift. It can be a recipe for disaster.