Basic Rules and Top Tips

We have compiled a handful of fork lift safety rules, as well as some excellent tips, to ensure that both employer and employee, as well as additional warehouse employees, are not put in a position of danger.

• Qualifications – As mentioned above, and perhaps the most important aspect of fork lift safety is ensuring that ALL future employees receive the proper and adequate training. Without these measures you will putting all employees at serious risk.
• Clothing – Appropriate clothing including safety work wear such as hard hats, safety shoes, and hi-visibility jackets should be worn at all times. In addition, all clothing needs to be reasonably fitted to avoid the risk of any loose clothing being caught in the machinery.
• Routine Checks – Just as you should be carrying out routine checks on your Pallet Racking, you should take the time to carefully examine the equipment on a daily basis. Ensure that you check for any faults, particularly focusing on the brakes, steering, controls, warning devices, masts, and tyres.
• The Environment – The driver should always pay attention to and carefully follow any site rules and guidelines. It is therefore your duty, as an employer, to ensure that the correct signage is in place and clearly visible to all employees. The operator must only drive the equipment in the machinery’s designated roadways to avoid collision and ensure that all signs are observed; especially those that lay out the rules for loadings and clearance heights.
• Don’t Speed – We’d hope that this one was a given but we’re including it anyway. Just as you should obey The Highway Code, drivers of fork lift trucks should never exceed the instructed speed limit. Corners and turns should be taken slowly to avoid tipping and coming to a stop should be gradual and slow.
• Avoid Hazards – We understand that this one is often easier said than done, but drivers should try and steer clear of any bumps, uneven ground surfaces, and slippery conditions. We’d suggest making use of the horn when closing in on a corner or doorway to alert pedestrians and other drivers of your presence to avoid unnecessary collisions.
• Never Overload – Ensure that you and your drivers know the capacity of the vehicle as well as any attachments and never exceed these. An overload can cause rear tyres to raise off the ground and could cause the truck to tip over.
• Clear Visibility – Never operate the truck if visibility is poor. Carry a load low to the floor to allow for improved forward visibility or alternatively choose to reverse. When stacking, ensure that you have a good view of the rack or top stack where a load should be positioned. However, we understand that poor visibility is inevitable; in this case we suggest that you employ a lookout or helper to ensure that no individuals are put at risk.
• Correct Equipment Use – Do not let other people ride on the equipment unless a second seat is fitted as the vehicles are designed to carry loads and not additional bodies.