While there’s nothing in the Approved Code of Practice that says you cannot use two forklifts to lift a load, it is not advisable as a lot can go wrong. The scenario is quite common: a load arrives on a…
While there’s nothing in the Approved Code of Practice that says you cannot use two forklifts to lift a load, it is not advisable as a lot can go wrong. The scenario is quite common: a load arrives on a…
Forklifts can become unstable when driven in excess of a safe speed, goods can be damaged and wear and tear is increased, so it’s essential that a forklift speed limit is established. There are many ways in which this can…
The Approved Code of Practice notes one of the main causes of forklift accidents is ‘excessive speed’ and it encourages operators to operate at a ‘safe speed’. However, it isn’t prescriptive in terms of kilometres per hour. It talks about…
If you only drive the forklift in areas which are not classed as roads, then you can drive any forklift, even without a current class 1 licence, as long as you have an appropriate qualification such as a forklift operator’s…
Truck loading is governed by the Truck Loading Code. It’s a document that outlines the legal requirements for load security on a truck or trailer. While the ultimate responsibility for the security of the load lies with the driver, the…
Many employers use the phrase forklift licence. There is no such thing (as we have discussed before): there is a forklift operator’s certificate and there is an F endorsement (also, you can do the two together). Those are the only…
To operate a forklift on a public road (see the definition of a road) a forklift operator must have an F endorsement. The forklift must have a current warrant of fitness and registration, lights and indicators. However, there is an…
There are five main types of forklift accident: tipping, speed, vehicle impact, fumes and reckless driving. These can result in injury or death to the driver or any pedestrians that the forklift or its load impacts, plus damage to property.…
Every year, a large number of injuries are caused by pedestrians being hit by forklifts. As forklifts are extremely heavy, they can create fatal crush injuries quite easily. The best solution is to completely separate pedestrians and forklifts but this…
In general, forklift training in Australia is more rigorous than in New Zealand. The courses are longer and cover a broader range of topics plus much more driving. However, operators are not required to do a refresher every three years…
Thousands of forklift incidents happen each year, from minor scrapes to fatalities. Forklift accidents can happen in many ways. To get an idea of how vigilant you need to be when evaluating your yard or warehouse and your operating procedures…
Your forks will wear out as you use them – abrasion against pallets, racking, the ground and other objects will gradually make them thinner and thinner. They can also suffer distortion through accidents and overloading. A fork can have up…
If you have pedestrian and heavy machinery traffic alongside truck movements in your warehouse or yard, you must have a set of health and safety rules and a site induction to ensure that accidents don’t happen. Truck drivers and pedestrian…
Different types of forklifts and pallet jacks serve different purposes and it’s not uncommon for a company to have at least two types. The main types of forklift are: Counterbalance Reach truck Walkie and electric-powered hand truck Side loader Order…
To get an F endorsement, you need to do an F endorsement course. An F endorsement allows you to drive a forklift on a public road, as long as the forklift has a warrant of fitness and a current registration.…
In Australia you need a high-risk work licence (HRWL) to operate a forklift. The course to get the licence is 2.5 days and is much more intense than New Zealand courses, covering a broader range of topics and much more…
This list can be useful for newer operators or operators who have come from overseas as it explains common abbreviations and acronyms used on and around forklifts. 4-D: Capable of travel forwards/backwards/left/right AC: Alternating Current ACOP: Approved Code of Practice…
Some forklift trainers will tell you that it is dangerous to wear earplugs or other hearing protection while using a forklift because you can’t hear other forklifts or pedestrians around you, but forklifts can create a lot of noise. High…
Forklift attachments can put additional strain on your forklift and usually derate it, i.e. the forklift can’t lift as much. The attachments are often highly specialised and can be expensive, so you’ll want to look for ones that will fulfil…
Fork extensions, sometimes called ‘slippers’ or ‘tine extensions’, are attachments that are sleeves that fit over the forks to extend their length. They make a forklift more versatile. For example, as long as the rated capacity isn’t exceeded, they can…
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