FAQs
Forklift safety tips and forklift glossary terms.
FAQs
Forklift safety tips
and forklift
glossary terms.
Forklift safety tips
- Before each shift, examine forklifts for safety purposes.
- Avoid operating a vehicle that requires maintenance or repair (which should be provided by the respective qualified experts).
- Inform the shift supervisor of any identified issues, problems, questions, or concerns.
- Forklifts operate uniquely; since they steer from the rear, the back of the vehicle needs a wide sweep to turn.
- Never leave an operating forklift unattended. Leaving keys in an unattended forklift or leaving the ignition of the vehicle on, is illegal, and has dire consequences as a safety hazard, even without the actual occurrence of an accident.
- Know and never exceed the lifting capacity of the forklift.
- Forklifts must follow designated roadways at the work site.
- Work-site rules and regulations must be adhered to.
- Keep hands and feet away from the cross members of the mast— should the mast be lowered and catch your hand, you’ll suffer from serious injury.
- Forklifts need to be refueled— once they’ve been turned off—at designated and well-ventilated locations.
- Forklifts which are not in use should be carefully parked, with the parking brake applied.
- As the operator of a forklift, you must receive thorough forklift safety training and certification before being entrusted with the heavy machinery.
- Be alert and attentive to your surrounding environment at all times with these forklift safety tips:
- Avoid hazards on the floor; slippery or unstable surfaces, bumps, holes, etc.
- Driving over small, scattered hazards (like shards of wood) may make the load shift and topple, or knock you out of place (and out of control)
- Direct your forklift forward when driving up ramps, but go downhill in reverse.
- Don’t load/unload on the ramp.
- Alert others of your coming with a horn or your voice.
- Keep a safe distance from people and from other trucks
- Stop only when you have enough space to pause safely.
- Note any changes to your operating environment.
- Ensure that you are in complete control of the vehicle.
- Stay in the operator’s seat, and keep your body within the frame of the vehicle at all times.
- Wear your seat belt for protection case the vehicle topples; if that’s the case, the frame and seatbelt will offer sufficient protection.
- Never allow unauthorized people to drive or otherwise operate the forklift.
- Mandatory safety gear (hi-visibility jacket, sturdy footgear, hard-hats)
- Tight clothing that can’t be caught in gears or controls
- Never operate with wet or greasy hands or shoes. You could easily slide or slip and cause an accident.
- Remember to inspect the forklift daily, before every shift; never operate a forklift with issues or in need of repairs.
- Forklift operators must be trained, examined, and certified.
- Know the forklift capacity and never exceed it.
- Secure and stabilize loads; drive carefully and slowly; and ensure visibility.
- Always take extra precautions for the people around you.
- Eliminate dangers to the surrounding people
- If you’re driving, always keep an eye out for other people around you, especially those on foot.
- Avoid fast moves. Always drive, stop, turn, and lift or lower the forks slowly and as smoothly as possible.
- Sudden turns can toss off a load or even the entire forklift off balance, which make it a much greater hazard for the operator and especially the surrounding people.
- Be especially careful when navigating ramps, inclines, and grades.
- Always check carefully before turning or backing up the vehicle. Keep in mind that people may be walking or standing on one of your blind sides (i.e. behind the vehicle) or obstructed by other obstacles;
- No one should be allowed to stand or walk beneath or upon the forks, whether they’re emptied or loaded.
- Most accidents with forklifts occur by plummeting loads which crush the person below.
- Place loads back by the mast, where they’ll balance most stably; never place loads at the front of the forks.
- Never load trucks beyond approved capacity.
- Always travel with the forks positioned as low as possible for increased stability and protection. Never travel with forks that are elevated and/or tilted forward.
- Ensure that the load is stable or strapped in place before moving the vehicle.
- The load must be balanced on both forks.
- Avoid decaying, warped, or otherwise damaged skids and pallets.
- When stocking, be vigilant for slipping, unstable, or toppling loads.
- Have a good view of and easy access to the rack or location where you must position your load.
- If your load obstructs your view, operate the forklift in reverse to improve visibility and operation control.
- If visibility remains obstructed, enlist the help of a lookout or helper to guide you between obstacles and people.
- A clean forklift is a productive and efficient forklift.
- Keeping your forklift clean can save you money, as the build-up of oil, grease and dirt can prevent your forklift from operating at its optimum level.
- A daily check of your forklift will go a long way towards keeping it in the best possible condition. This inspection includes a comprehensive check on various components of the machine, such as the lights, the battery and exhaust system.
- Daily checks are of vital importance. It is important that your forklift’s uptime is maximised, so that productivity is maximised. Each OEM issues comprehensive guidelines, which are readily available.
- As an operator, all you need to do as part of the daily check is to simply wipe down the outside of the forklift with a damp cloth. This small action will make a big difference, as you will have to actually touch the truck and record its condition.
This is the only cleaning that you need to do.
- Deep cleaning should only be done by suitably qualified and certified technicians.
GLTC has a skilled team that carries out regular cleaning of forklifts for its clients when a service is performed at the required interval.
- Making sure that the daily checks are done and that the outside of the forklift is wiped down will assist in reducing costly repairs that would not have normally been reported in its early stage. It will also improve the uptime of the truck, thus giving you maximum up time of your forklift, which all results in better profits.
Forklift glossary of terms
Battery Capacity = Battery Capacity is measured with its ability to maintain power over a period of time with a specified consumption of energy, presented in Ampere hours (Ah). Common forklift voltages are 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 DC.
Battery Compartment = The manufacturer’s allotted space of a lift truck, provided to house a battery. A battery compartment is expressed as: L x W x H. (Length x Width x Height)
Battery Model Identification = Composed of 3 set of numbers expressed PER cell.
(Voltage – Amps – Positive plates, typically stamped into the 1 positive lead strap. e.g 18-85-25)
Battery Weight, min. = Minimum weight of a battery for per lift truck model recommended by the OEM.
Boom = A powered boom that extends as a telescope from within itself.
Capacity = The rating given a lift truck indicating the amount of weight that a truck will lift to a predetermined fork height at a specified load center. Most common is 24” load center.
Casters = Non-powered swiveled base caster/wheel(s) turn freely.
Control Valves = A valve that controls the direction of flow of hydraulic fluid.
Counterbalanced = A lift truck that utilizes weight in its chassis to counterbalance a load against the center line of the drive wheels.
Data Plate = Typical a metal tag that is stamped by the manufacture showing MODEL and SERIAL number and pertinent data to further identify the unit.
Duplex Mast = Same as Two-Stage Mast Full Free Lift Mast.
Engine Manufacturer = References the OEM that manufactures the engine for a given model.
Engine Model = References the engine nomenclature; sometimes dependent on the lift truck OEM. Many lift truck OEMs do not manufacture their own engines.
Fork Carriage Width = The maximum width of the fork carriage. The carriage is designed to raise and lower in front of the mast; the forks connect to the carriage.
Fork Size = Dimensions of lift truck forks, expressed as: thickness x width x length.
Fork Spread = The maximum distance the forks can be positioned, expressed as width, measured from the outside edge of the forks.
Free Lift = The vertical distance the forks can be raised before a mast begins to telescope.
Freezer Protection = A means of preparing a lift truck to operate in freezer or cold environments. = conditioning may include specialized hydraulic oils, special paint and components.
Full Free Lift = A truck where the fork carriage travels to the top of the inner mast before the inner mast begins to rise.
Gradeability = The maximum percent of a slope a lift truck can negotiate with a capacity load.
Hours Per Year = The range of objective hours a user expects to operate a machine on a yearly basis; used as an RV Calculation factor.
Hydraulic Pressure = Indicates the standard pressure of hydraulic fluid for a particular lift truck model, measured by pounds per square inch.
Length to Fork Face = The length of the lift truck measured from the extreme rear end of the lift truck to the vertical surface of the fork face.
Lift Speed, empty = The maximum upward speed forks can travel without a load. Lift Speed w/load = The maximum upward speed forks can travel with a maximum capacity load.
Limited Free Lift = The amount the forks raise before the overall lowered height of a mast increases.
Load Backrest = Connected to the fork carriage, the load backrest extends vertically; the load backrest is a grated shield, which prevents loads from sliding backwards.
Load Capacity = The maximum weight a specified lift truck can lift and/or carry, specified by the OEM.
Load Center = The horizontal distance between the front face and the longitudinal midpoint of an evenly distributed load.
Load Wheels = The wheels located on the load end of a truck.
Lower Speed, empty = The maximum downward speed forks can travel without a load.
Lower Speed w/load = The maximum downward speed forks can travel with a maximum capacity load.
Mast, Standard = (Standard Mast) the standard mast designated by the OEM
Mast – Two-Stage = A telescoping mast that is comprised of two connecting masts: Limited Free Lift (FL) & Full Free Lift (FFL).
Simplex Mast = Same as Two-Stage with limited Free Lift Mast.
Mast Triple Stage = A telescoping mast, which is comprised of three, connecting masts, same as Three -Stage Mast.
Mast Triplex Mast = Same as Triple Stage and Three-Stage Mast.
Mast Quad Stage = A telescoping mast, which is comprised of four, connecting masts.
Mast Boom = A boom that telescopes within itself. (Normally manually adjusted)
Mechanical Lift = A non-electrical lift.
MFH = Maximum Fork Height. The maximum height of lift truck forks when the mast of the lift truck has reached full extension.
Narrow-Aisle Truck = A lift truck, which is designed specifically for narrow aisles. A narrow aisle is generally considered 7 to 9 feet wide.
NET Horsepower = Maximum horsepower at the flywheel, with intake and exhaust systems in place and accounting for load from auxiliary systems.
Operating Weight = The weight of a standard configured machine, which is assembled and in working order. Please see our specification sheets to see the operating weight.
Order/Stock Picker = A forklift with all controls for raise/lower, travel mounted on an operator’s platform that raises and lowers with the forks.
Overall Height Lowered = The height of a mast completely collapsed.
Overall Height Raised = The maximum extended height of the top of the load backrest or fork carriage of a completely extended mast.
Overall Width = Distance between the widest part of a lift truck. In the Guru, when referring to overall width for class 2 & 3 trucks, overall width refers to the width of the power unit, not the outriggers.
Overhead Guard = A framework above the operator’s head attached to a lift truck to protect an operator. Often referred to as “DOG” or Driver’s Over Head Guard.
Overall Guard Height = The distance from the floor surface to highest point of the overhead guard.
Power Type = Refers to the mode of energy or motive force by which a lift truck is propelled, examples include: gasoline/LPG/diesel engine, electric.
Pneumatic Tire = An inflatable tire generally used in an outdoors environment.
Quad-Stage Mast = A lift truck mast that has four sections
Rated Output @ rpm = That engine power available at a specified output of a device under specified conditions of operation. Referenced as revolutions per minute (rpm).
Rated Torque @ rpm = The force that rotates or turns a crankshaft; stated in lb-ft.
Reach Truck = A truck equipped with a pantograph-type reach mechanism that allows the forks to extend out past the supporting outriggers.
Reach Extension = The maximum distance a fork carriage can be extended forward, horizontally. This function is limited to some (Class 2 & 3) “Reach Trucks”.
Rider Truck = A lift truck designed to be operated by an operator whom stands or sits on the unit.
Right Angle Stack = The ability to turn a lift truck 90 degrees in an aisle.
Serial Number = The primary identifier that like as car/truck VIN assigned but the manufacturer on the data tag/often stamped in the frame of the chassis.
Service Weight = The overall weight of a fully configured lift truck
Sideshift = An attachment which can move the forks horizontally to the left or right.
Sideshift Package = A complete shideshift system includes valve, hydraulic hose group and the sideshift hardware.
Stand-Up Rider = A lift truck designed to be controlled by an operator standing.
Tilt Angle = The distance a mast can move (tilt) forward and backward by means of hydraulics expressed tilt angle values as “back/front”.
Drive Tires = Refers to the tires, generally the “drive” tires.
Steer Tires = Refers to the rear or “steer” tires,
Tire Types = Most common know are cushion and pneumatic with many variations.
Transmission Speed F/R =The number of speeds of a transmission, referenced as Front/Back.
Travel Speed, empty = The maximum speed a lift truck can travel without a load.
Travel Speed w/load = The maximum speed a lift truck can travel carrying a full load, or rated capacity.
Turning Radius = The radius of a circle created by outmost projection of a lift truck when the operator has the steering mechanism in the tightest turning position.
Under clearance, frame = Smallest distance between the wheelbase portion of a lift truck frame and a floor surface.
Voltage = The measurement of the force which causes electrical current to flow in a conductor, expressed in volts, examples: 24, 36, 48, 72 & 80 volts.
Wheelbase = The distance between the front axle and the rear axle of a lift truck.
Walkie = A motorized pallet lift truck with limited lift, which an operator walks with controlling direction and speed by a control handle.
Walkie Ride = A motorized pallet lift truck with limited lift, which an operator walks rides with controlling direction and speed by a control handle.
Class 1 = Electric Motor Rider Lift Trucks: Stand-Up Rider, Sit-Down Rider Cushion Tire, Sit-Down Rider Pneumatic Tire, 3-Wheel Rider Electric
Class 2 = Electric Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks: High-Lift Straddle-Type, Narrow Aisle Single Reach , Narrow Aisle Double Reach, Narrow Aisle Swing Reach, Counterbalanced Order Picker, Straddle Order Picker, Turret Trucks
Class 3 = Electric Hand Trucks: Walkie Low-Lift Pallet Walkie/Ride Low-Lift Pallet Walkie/Ride Reach Pallet Walkie/Ride Straddle Pallet Walkie/Ride High-Lift Counterbalanced
Class 4 = Internal Combustion Cushion Tire Lift Trucks
Class 5 = Internal Combustion Pneumatic Tire Lift Trucks
