Forklift Operator's Handbook

Vital need-to-know information for safe operation

A forklift is a powerful tool that allows one person to precisely lift and place large heavy loads with little effort. However, there is great risk of injury or death when an operator has not been properly schooled. The OHS Act Driven Machinery Regulations require employers to ensure that all forklift operators are trained and hold a certificate of competence in accordance with the National Code of Practice for the Evaluation of Training Providers for Lifting Machinery Operators.

While not designed to substitute for operator training, this user-friendly book provides critical information about forklifts, pre-operation inspections, how forklifts work, stability principles, safe operation, handling loads and stacking.

Written in plain English and filled with explanatory diagrams, it is an invaluable training aid and reference book for operators.

Table of Contents:

Introduction:
Operator certification — Types of accidents involving forklift trucks — Basic safety rules.

Know your forklift
Truck frame — Counterweight — Cab — Overhead guard — Power source — Tilt cylinders — Mast — Carriage — Load back rest — Attachments.
Daily check — What to look for.

Stability
The load capacity data plate — Centre of gravity — Triangle on wheels — The dangers.

Driving
Pre-operational check — Fasten your seat belt — Do not speed — Steering characteristics — Use an assistant in narrow spaces — Keep forks low — No passengers — Look left and right and sound horn — Avoid hazards — Slow down when turning — Keep a clear view of the path of travel — No hands on mast — Safe braking distance — Overhead clearance — Pedestrians and forklifts don’t mix — Travelling on inclines and ramps — Driving indoors — Do not cross railway lines — Leaving a forklift unattended.

The load
Do not overload — Do not add counterweights — Do not use fork tips — Do not carry unstable loads — Use suitable pallets — Follow correct procedure for lifting pallets — Do not drag loads — Be familiar with packaging symbols — Space forks correctly — Use the carriage or back-rest extension — Driving onto truck — Loading and unloading flat bed trucks.

Stacking and de-stacking
General rules — Stacking procedure — Double stacking — De-stacking procedure.

PRICE per book: R68,40 (incl VAT)
Discount price per pack of ten books: R484,50 (incl VAT).