Forklift Trucks – Maintaining Truck Control – Fact Sheets

HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN CONTROL WHEN HANDLING PALLETS?

Ensure that forks are:

• Level.
• High enough to go into the pallet.
• Proper width to provide even distribution of the weight.
• All the way under the load, reaching up to at least two-thirds of the load length.

How do you maintain control when lifting, tilting, and stacking a load?

• Lift the load straight until it is clear, then tilt back.
• Watch that the load does not catch on adjacent loads or obstructions.
• Do not raise or lower the forks before you stop the lift truck and set the brakes.
• Ensure that the forks are free of the load before backing up.

How do you maintain control when traveling?

• Tilt loads backwards.
• Travel with forks as low as possible from the floor and tilted back (usually within 10-15 cm (4 to 6 inches) above the floor).
• Match speed to, load, presence of pedestrians, obstructions, and driving and workplace conditions, including slippery surfaces.
• Obey posted traffic signs, and follow all traffic control requirements for that work location (e.g., driving on the right hand side, lane markings, etc.).
• Decrease speed at all corners, sound horn and watch the swing of both the rear of the lift truck and the load.
• Watch for pedestrians. Keep a safe distance from other lifting devices, pedestrians, elevated surfaces, ramp edges, machinery, etc.
• Avoid sudden stops. 

• Travel in reverse when a load blocks your vision and always look in the direction of travel.
• Check for adequate overhead clearance when entering an area or when raising the forks.
• Watch out for the following dangers on the floor or roadway: oil spots, wet spots, loose objects, or holes, rough surfaces, people, and other vehicles.
• Approach at an angle when crossing railroad tracks.
• Maintain a safe working limit from all overhead power lines.
• Do not turn on ramps.
• Do not elevate the load when the forklift truck is on an incline.
• Do not allow riders, unless a safe place for the rider has been povided by the truck’s manufacturer.

How should you steer to maintain control?

• Have the load carried by the front wheels.
• Turn with the rear wheels.
• Do not turn a lift truck steering wheel sharply at fast speeds.
• Do not overload a lift truck. It can cause a loss of steering control.
• Do not add extra weight to a counterweight to improve steering.

How do you maintain control when driving in reverse?

• Face the rear.
• Sound horn before moving.
• Go slowly.
• Stop when vision is limited or blocked. Go in reverse, or use a signaller.

How do you maintain control when traveling up or downhill?

Always check with the manufacturer’s operating instructions. In general:

• Loaded trucks, when travelling up and down hill that is greater than a 5% grade, should travel with the load pointed uphill.
• Unloaded truck should travel with the forks (load-engaging means) pointed down hill regardless of the grade.
• Do not turn until on level ground when ever possible.

How should you shutdown the forklift truck?

• Park in an approved location.
• Set the brakes.
• Lower the forks or load to the floor.
• Neutralize the controls.
• Turn off the motor switch or turn off controls and remove the key.
• Shut off the fuel supply (e.g., disconnect battery or go through propane shut-down procedures).
• Block the wheels if the truck is parked on an incline.

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