#Safety [[Nanographs Safety Committee]] # Certification Process - [ ] Review [[OSHA forklift safe operating rules]] - [ ] Watch a video - [ ] Complete a written exam - [ ] Get familiarized with the equipment once on site [[Forklift Academy Training]] ## Scope of certification - with an online certification you still have to learn to use the equipment on site - Must be 18 years old - Certification is valid for 3 years - If you are involved in an accident or close call, you will have to do training again ## [[Types of PITs]] ![[Starke-ITA-Classifications-1199x1599.jpg]] ## Safe Operating Practices ### Inspect your machine Walk around the entire vehicle, note any damage or leaking fluids. > [!warning] > Never operate a forklift that has a fuel, oil, or hydraulic leak Keep ignition sources at least 50ft away from both gas and battery powered forklifts - smoking is a NO ### Refueling - Before charging a battery powered forklift, open the hood to allow any hydrogen gas produced by the battery to dissipate - Before removing the fuel tank on a gas powered forklift, turn off the engine - Align the propane tank with the locating pin so that the fuel pickup tube is at the best angle - ![[CleanShot 2025-04-09 at [email protected]|med]] - Wear protective gloves when changing a propane tank ### Safe driving - Do not accelerate on turns, it is **very easy to lose control** - Maximum safe speed is ==5 MPH== - Do not drive with a raised load - keep it ==low and slow== - Forks are sharp! - Loaded or unloaded, always drive with forks within 4-6" of the ground - Always signal your approach - sound the horn whenever: - Entering an area where people are around - Visibility is obstructed, such as rounding a corner - If the load obstructs your path forward, drive it backwards ### Physical safety - NO passengers - NO body parts outside the cage of the truck - Leaning outside the body of the truck can also unbalance you ## Safety platforms A regulation safety platform must have: ![[safe lift platform.jpg|med right]] - [ ] 42" guard rails around all sides - [ ] A rail midway between guard rails and platform - [ ] 4" high toeboards around the platform - [ ] Platform secured to mast by a chain or other device - [ ] 7' high crushing guard against mast and backrest - [ ] Safety line with harness > [!warning] > Never drive with a person on the platform > The safety of the person on the platform is the driver's responsibility - don't leave the cab while a person is on the platform ## Safe Loading Practices ### Check capacity - Make sure your forklift is rated to handle the load you are transporting - Check the manufacturer's data plate - Lifting capacity changes based on the load center > **load center**: distance between fork faces and the center of the load ![[load center chart.jpg]] ### Secure the load - Before moving anything, **check** that load is secured and balanced - "*There is no second chance to prepare*" - Use shrink wrap or straps to secure ## Trailers - Make sure trailers are properly [[vehicle chocking|chocked]] and blocked before entering > [!warning] > The weight of a forklift can cause a trailer to push away from a dock - Always use a dock plate to cross the span between a dock and a trailer - *keep your forks low!* ### Trailer integrity - Put the heaviest parts of a load at the back of the trailer, where it is supported by wheels ![[sagging trailer.jpg|med]] ## Inclines ==Always back down an incline== - Keep the mast tilted back towards the truck - Your load should always be **uphill** ## Stability and center of gravity For the forklift to not tip, the center of gravity must stay within this triangle: ![[forklift center of gravity from above.jpg|grid]] ![[Forklift-diagram-COG-1.jpg|grid]] ![[The-relationship-of-forklift-gravity-centre-position-and-forklift-stability.jpg|large grid]]![[forklift stability triangle.jpg|grid]] # References ## [[OSHA forklift safe operating rules]] ## [[How does a forklift work? Animated]] ## OSHA quick card ![[OSHA3949.pdf]] ## OR-OSHA workbook ![[Oregon OSHA forklift safety review.pdf]]