and load backrest extension provides reasonableprotection against a falling object but cannot protect youagainst every impact. A forklift without an overheadguard provides no protection. For this reason, youshould never attempt to pickup any loose, unstable, orstacked load if it appears that any part of the elevatedload might topple through or over the top of the uprightor fall on anybody standing nearby. You should alsoavoid hitting certain objects, such as stacked material,that could become dislodged and fall. Do not move yourforklift around with the load carriage elevated. Theserules apply whether or not your forklift is equipped withan overhead guard and are important if you are notprotected by an overhead guard. Enforcing these rulesmay mean a smaller load, but you are protecting yourselfand others working in your area.2. Use a secured safety platform when liftingpersonnel. A forklift is built for only one rider—theoperator. Because of the hazardous conditions thatcan result, it is unauthorized for anyone to ride theforks of a forklift or hitch a ride in any manner. If aforklift is used to elevate workers, a safety platformmust be secured to the forks. The platform should bespecially built and secured to keep it from slippingfrom the forks, and it should have a solid floor andhandrail (fig. 8-25).3. Keep arms and legs inside the operator’scompartment. Holding them outside the machine canbe dangerous in narrow aisles.4. Keep yourself and all others clear of the hoistingmechanisms. NEVER PUT HANDS, ARMS, HEAD,O R L E G S T H R O U G H T H E H O I S T I NGMECHANISM. This rule applies to both you and therigger. A rigger should not be near the load or hoistingmechanism while you are attempting to pick up, hoist,or deposit a load.5. Never allow anyone under the load.6. Report damaged or faulty equipmentimmediately—do not operate a forklift that is unsafe.You can complete a job with a forklift safely only whenit is working correctly; therefore, a forklift should neverbe operated when it is not running properly.7. Avoid bumps, holes, slick spots, and loosematerials that may cause your forklift to swerve or tipover. Different models of forklifts are designed tooperate under different conditions.Although largeforklifts can adapt to more uneven ground, do not expectthem to maintain their balance under abusive groundconditions. Try to pick the smoothest areas whenmoving material from one place to another.Figure 8-25.—Safety platform.8. Travel slowly in narrow aisles and aroundcorners, especially blind corners. To help avoidcollisions, you should sound your horn in advance.9. Lower the carriage completely, and set theparking brake before leaving your forklift. Block thewheels when parking on an incline or working on theforklift. These rules apply under all conditions, even ifyou are only going to leave your forklift for a moment.A driverless forklift does not have to move far in closequarters to cause serious injury.10. Do not turn on an incline. For stability, a forkliftshould not be driven along the side of an incline thatleans the forklift sideways. Always keep either the rearend or front end of the forklift pointed up or down theslope.11. Do not fill the fuel tank while the engine isrunning.12. Sudden starts and stops cause premature wearon parts of the forklift, such as axles and gears, andcause tires to wear faster. Personnel nearby maybecome injured and materials may be damaged by aforklift suddenly going into motion or going out ofcontrol.13. Because a forklift is designed to perform somany functions within a small space, you mustanticipate certain clearance situations. As an operator,you must be aware the forks will sometimes protrudebeyond the front of the load. Because of this, you may8-14
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