FOR OPERATORS AND SUPERVISORS
FOR OPERATORS AND SUPERVISORS QUALIFIED OPERATORSQUALIFIED OPERATORS
1-31-3
FOR OPFOR OPERAERATORS ANDTORS AND
SUPERVISORSSUPERVISORS
Lift truck accidents cause dozens or hundreds ofLift truck accidents cause dozens or hundreds of
deaths every year, and even greater numbers ofdeaths every year, and even greater numbers of
personal injuries.personal injuries.
UniCarriers has steadily improved the design andUniCarriers has steadily improved the design and
fabrication of our lift trucks so they may be usedfabrication of our lift trucks so they may be used
more safely and efciently, but many accidents stillmore safely and efciently, but many accidents still
occur due to improper use. Accidents are oftenoccur due to improper use. Accidents are often
the result of more than just “bad driving”. The usethe result of more than just “bad driving”. The use
of inappropriate types of equipment, the selectionof inappropriate types of equipment, the selection
of inappropriate attachments or accessories,of inappropriate attachments or accessories,
inappropriate operating environments, carelessinappropriate operating environments, careless
designation of operators, and failure to properlydesignation of operators, and failure to properly
train the operator are other common causes oftrain the operator are other common causes of
accidents.accidents.
It is not possible to describe all potentiallyIt is not possible to describe all potentially
hazardous situations which may occur whilehazardous situations which may occur while
operating, inspecting or servicing a fooperating, inspecting or servicing a forklift truck.rklift truck.
The safety instructions including the warning andThe safety instructions including the warning and
caution messages in this manual and on the decalscaution messages in this manual and on the decals
attached to the forklift, are not intended to cover allattached to the forklift, are not intended to cover all
possible working hazards. If you operate, inspect orpossible working hazards. If you operate, inspect or
service the forklift in a manner not described in thisservice the forklift in a manner not described in this
manual, please be careful because you do so atmanual, please be careful because you do so at
your own risk.your own risk.
This chapter covers the methods of accidentThis chapter covers the methods of accident
prevention which are primarily the responsibility ofprevention which are primarily the responsibility of
supervisory personnel.supervisory personnel.
•• Pages 1-2 through 1-16 contain instructions Pages 1-2 through 1-16 contain instructions
which should be enforced by the personnelwhich should be enforced by the personnel
supervising the operation of the lift truck. Pleasesupervising the operation of the lift truck. Please
make sure the operators also read these pages.make sure the operators also read these pages.
•• Page 1-17 and the following pages contain Page 1-17 and the following pages contain
specific precautions directly related to thespecific precautions directly related to the
operation of the lift truck. Make sure the operatorsoperation of the lift truck. Make sure the operators
read all instructions carefully and understandread all instructions carefully and understand
them them completelycompletely..
■■TRAIN OPERATORS TO STACK SAFELYTRAIN OPERATORS TO STACK SAFELY
StackingStacking
UnstackingUnstacking
“Stacking” means piling up palletized loads or“Stacking” means piling up palletized loads or
materials directly on top of each other, without usingmaterials directly on top of each other, without using
racks or shelves to separate them.racks or shelves to separate them.
If loads are not properly stacked, they may slipIf loads are not properly stacked, they may slip
or fall, endangering the operator as well as fellowor fall, endangering the operator as well as fellow
workers in the area.workers in the area.
Safety classes should be held to train all operatorsSafety classes should be held to train all operators
in the proper method of stacking and unstackingin the proper method of stacking and unstacking
loads.loads.
■■PERIODIC REFRESHER TRAINING ISPERIODIC REFRESHER TRAINING IS
REQUIREDREQUIRED
The operator must undergo periodic refresherThe operator must undergo periodic refresher
training, by completing a practical training course.training, by completing a practical training course.
Forklift truck design is moving ahead rapidly,Forklift truck design is moving ahead rapidly,
including the use of new microprocessor technologyincluding the use of new microprocessor technology
and automatic controls. In addition, the standardsand automatic controls. In addition, the standards
and safety regulations for forklift trucks are alsoand safety regulations for forklift trucks are also
changing all the time. Even an experienced operatorchanging all the time. Even an experienced operator
should receive refresher training to ensure that theshould receive refresher training to ensure that the
operator has the knowledge and skills needed tooperator has the knowledge and skills needed to
operate a powered industrial truck operate a powered industrial truck safelysafely..
