ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT -- Forklifts and hand trucks allow one employee to do the work of several in moving large quantities of materials and handling awkward loads.
With the benefits of improved materials handling, the potential for serious injury and death has also increased.
The sheer mass of a forklift can be equivalent to a full-size sedan and, although speeds are relatively low, that dense mass makes the potential for accidents a serious issue in the workplace.
Forklift safety is not just the operator's responsibility. It also includes pedestrians entering and working in forklift traffic zones.
Only stable and safely arranged loads shall be handled. Loads that are lifted and/or pushed by split-forking or bulldozing can cause hazards in several ways, including:
• Compromising the forklift's capacity
• Damaging the forks
• Damaging the floor/roadway
• Causing the load, or part of the load, to tip
• Interfering with the maneuverability of the forklift
• Causing the driver less control of the loads during turns and stopping
This practice may produce additional hazards for employees, depending upon specific workplace conditions, such as: weather, lighting, space restraints, training, supervision, truck maintenance and the job production schedule.
When any type of pallet is being pushed down the road/surface, it can cause debris on the roadway, such as broken wood, nails, metal pieces, etc.
The debris could cause trip or injury hazards to pedestrians, but, the most common hazard debris creates is punctured vehicle tires.
When handling a stable load, always maintain the load at a safe travel height of approximately six to eight inches from the road/surface.
For additional safety information related to forklift operation, speak to your supervisor or contact the Safety Office at Ext. 7541.
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