If you’re a supervisor of forklift operators, you have obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. You can’t plead that you sent your operators to a training course off-site and use that as an excuse for poor practices in the workplace; you are responsible for how they operate regardless. This is part of the primary duty of care in the Act.
So, it’s often a shock to supervisors when they are told this. If you’re a forklift supervisor and you don’t know what good forklift operation looks like, then there are options:
- Do our online forklift operator’s licence course
- Read your company’s SOPs and ensure that they are complied with
- Read the Approved Code of Practice and the Good Practice Guide.
Once you’ve done that, you’ll know what you are looking for. Often, poor forklift driving develops over years of shortcuts and bad habits. It’s your role to break those habits and build pride and confidence within your forklift operation team.
You can break down your duties into four categories:
- Checking the forklift is safe to use
- Safe stacking and destacking
- Safe driving
- Safe shutdown
Checking the forklift is safe to use
The forklift should be checked daily (if it’s being used daily), or on days that it will be used. Use a pre-start checklist. One is available from our forklift operator’s certificate course. Are there processes in place so that this happens at the beginning of the shift? If not, you can create one.
Forklifts that are damaged or dangerous should be tagged out and not used until they are repaired.
Safe stacking and destacking
Are the forklift operators careful with the goods?
Do they bump the forklift or the load into racks or other objects?
Are the forks all the way into the pallet?
Are they loading evenly on each fork?
Do they understand the load plate and the capacity of the forklift?
Safe driving
Do they stick to the speed limit?
Do they use the horn when required?
Do they look over their shoulder and not rely on the mirrors when reversing?
Are they travelling in reverse with a load that obscures their vision forwards?
Are the forks tilted back when travelling?
Are they aware of other pedestrians and vehicles in the workplace, and respect give way rules?
Do they have a current forklift operator’s certificate (forklift licence) and F endorsement (if driving on a road)?
Are they using the inching pedal correctly?
Are they using 3 points of contact when getting on and off the forklift?
Do they climb on and off the forklift the correct side and the correct way?
Do they wear the seatbelt?
Do they drive smoothly?
Safe shutdown
Are they parking the forklift in a safe place that doesn’t block emergency exits?
Are they parking the forklift with the fork tips on the ground and the wheels straight?
Is the key removed and the handbrake on?
Do you have a refuelling or recharging guide or a specific person that does it?
If you can ensure that all of the above are followed, then you’re well on your way to a safer workplace with forklifts.
Darren has written over 3000 articles about driving and vehicles, plus almost 500 vehicle reviews and numerous driving courses. Connect with him on LinkedIn by clicking the name above