[[Forklift Safety]] - A safe distance is 3 truck lengths or 3 seconds ### Unattended vehicles - A vehicle is unattended if out of view or the operator is 25 ft away - Leaving a vehicle unattended: - [ ] Power shut off - [ ] Brakes set - [ ] Controls neutralized - [ ] Mast in vertical position - [ ] Load engaging means (forks) fully lowered - [ ] Wheels blocked if on an incline ### Safety of other people - Do not drive up to anyone standing in front of a fixed object; they could be caught between the truck and the object - No passengers, on any part of the vehicle #### Lifting other people - If a person is on a platform the engine must stay running with an operator at the controls - In case of hydraulic failure, the running pumps will slow the descent of the platform ### Environmental safety #### Highway trucks - Do not drive vehicles out of trucks until trucks are securely blocked and braked - Check flooring of trucks, trailers etc. before driving on #### Platforms - Only drive on surfaces with the capacity to support the loaded forklift - Keep ==one tire width== from the edge of any platform #### Elevators - Shut off power and set brakes when in an elevator > [!important] > Enter confined spaces with the load forward #### Railroad tracks - Cross tracks diagonally - Park > 9 ft from centerline of tracks #### Opening doors - Use a specific attachment for opening doors - Keep entire operation fully visible to operator, with everyone including operator clear of the door - Force applied to the door should be **parallel to the direction of travel** #### Intersections - No passing at intersections or blind spots - ==Slow down== and ==sound the horn== at cross isles and anywhere else visibility is obstructed #### Slopes - When on grades > 10%, drive with the load upgrade > [!important] > **Drive up** and **back down** - Raise and tilt the load **only as necessary** to clear the grade surface ### Fork etiquette - Keep the forks **as low as possible** - usually 4-6 in - Tilting loads can easily cause forklifts to fall over > [!warning] > Do not tilt forward with the load elevated ### Maintenance - Do not operate if any system is leaking - Any attachment changes the center of gravity and capacity rating ### Fire safety - No sparks, flames, or smoking within 50 ft of battery charging > [!warning] > Do not connect/disconnect a battery and charger unless the charger is **in the off position**