Using a Regular Counterbalance lift truck
1 Perform a pre-shift check before operating the equipment. Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines state that a pre-shift checklist must be performed at the start of every work shift. Each different equipment and its attachments has its own checklist listing lights, emergency brakes, steering, brakes, horn, controls and safety features.
2 Start up the equipment and check controls. First make sure that your seatbelt is fixed firmly and the seat is firmly in place and adjusted for your comfort. Look beneath the machinery after you move it for any indications of leaks. The operation of every type of forklift is different.
3 The basic operation of a machinery is really compared to a standard vehicle. The lift truck has a rear end swing of the forklift occurs as the truck steers using its rear wheels. Disregarding this fact is a major reasons for injuries and accidents to employees. The nearly 90-degree turn from the front wheels should be made with utmost caution. These top-heavy equipment have a high center of gravity even without a load. When transporting or lifting a load this top-heaviness is exacerbated.
4 Keep forks close to the floor when traveling. Utilize care when approaching loads. Be certain the forks line up correctly with the pallet. Lift the load only as high as is necessary, tilting it back to help stabilize the machine. Only drive backwards if the load is very big that it interferes with the vision of the driver.
5 Check the wheels on trailers/trucks prior to loading and unloading. Do not travel on inclines, specially when carrying a load. The machine can tip over on an incline. When driving on an incline is necessary, always drive up the slope and back down. The load should be kept on the uphill side of the truck.
6 The operator must be firmly in control all the time. The primary cause of operator injuries is tip-over. The driver must never try to jump out of the truck in case of a tip-over. The safest way is to lean away from the direction of fall while gripping the steering wheel and bracing your feet.