Forklift Operator's Manual

As an important tool for industrialhandling, the safe operation of forklifts is directly related to the safety ofpersonnel's lives and property. The following focuses on the core points ofsafe operation of forklifts and, based on practical experience, provides a setof implementable safety guidelines.

1. Core Principles of Safe ForkliftOperation Obey traffic rules Forklifts traveling in the factory area must abideby specific traffic rules, such as speed limits (usually no more than 5kilometers per hour), no driving in the opposite direction, and maintaining asafe distance. In practice, drivers should plan their routes in advance, avoidareas with heavy foot traffic, slow down when turning and sound the horn tosignal ‌.

2. Any violation is strictly prohibited

• ‌Overloading is prohibited: The load of forklifts must be strictly controlled within therated range. Overloading can cause the vehicle to lose balance and increase therisk of overturning. In practical operation, drivers should confirm the weightof the goods by visual inspection or using weighing equipment to avoid takingchances ‌.

• ‌ Nocarrying of people: The forks of forklifts must not carry people. If necessary, adedicated passenger platform must be used. For example, when working onhigh-level shelves, personnel should be assisted to go up and down throughlifting platforms instead of standing directly on the forks ‌.

• ‌ Prohibitdrunk driving: Alcohol can significantly reduce reaction speed and judgment.Make sure you are in good physical condition before driving a forklift ‌.

3. Keep the vehicle in good conditionForklifts need to have their key components such as the hydraulic system, tiresand brakes inspected regularly. In practical operation, drivers should conduct"three checks" before each day's work: check the fuel level, tirepressure and brake sensitivity. Report any problems for repair immediately‌.

1. Driver qualifications and status

• ‌ Certifiedto work ‌ : Drivers must hold a special equipment operator certificate andregularly participate in refresher training. For example, a certain enterpriserequires forklift drivers to take a safety knowledge assessment every twoyears. Those who fail will have their operation qualifications suspended ‌.

• ‌ Healthmanagement ‌ : Drivers should avoid fatigue work and take a 15-minute breakafter working continuously for 4 hours. A certain factory installs fatiguemonitoring equipment to remind drivers in real time to adjust their status ‌.

2. Vehicle inspection and maintenance.

• ‌ Dailyinspection ‌ : including hydraulic oil level, battery power, lighting system,etc. For example, a certain logistics center requires drivers to use achecklist to confirm item by item and sign before they can operate ‌.

 • ‌ Regular maintenance ‌ : Forklifts need to undergoa comprehensive maintenance every 500 hours, with worn parts replaced. Acertain enterprise uses Internet of Things technology to monitor the status ofvehicles in real time and issue early warnings of faults ‌.

3. Work environment assessment

• ‌ Siteclearance ‌ : Before commencing work, all ground debris must be removed toensure unobstructed passageways. Through 5S management, a certain warehouse hasraised the standard width of forklift aisles from 2 meters to 3 meters,significantly reducing the risk of collision ‌.

• ‌ Weatherfactors ‌ : When it rains or the ground is slippery, the vehicle speed shouldbe reduced and the braking distance increased. During the typhoon season, acertain port requires forklifts to be equipped with anti-skid chains andsuspends outdoor operations ‌.

Safety Points in Forklift Operation:Practical Operation Guide by Scenario.

1. Cargo loading and unloading

• ‌ loadingprinciple: The goods should be closely attached to the shelf, with thecenter of gravity at the center of the forks.

• ‌ Unloadingtechnique: The forks should be lowered to the ground before tilting toprevent the goods from sliding off.

2. Driving and turning

• Drivingspeed: In narrow passages or when visibility is blocked, the speedshould be reduced to below 3 kilometers per hour. A certain factory forciblycontrols the maximum speed of forklifts ‌ byinstalling speed limiters.

• ‌Turningrules: Slow down in advance when turning and observe the surroundingenvironment.

3. Special scene handling

• ‌ slopeoperation: Move forward when going uphill and reverse when going downhill toprevent the goods from falling.

• ‌ Nightoperation: Headlights and warning lights must be turned on to ensure clearvisibility. A certain logistics center has added lighting equipment in thenight operation area and raised the brightness of forklift lights to 20,000lumens.

1. Vehicle parking

• ‌ Location selection: Forklifts should be parked in designated areas to avoid occupyingpassageways. For example, a certain factory separates the forklift parking areafrom the operation area through line marking management ‌.

• ‌Safetymeasures: Lower the forks to the ground, apply the handbrake, and turn offthe power. A certain warehouse requires drivers to use locks to fix thesteering wheel after parking to prevent the vehicle from sliding ‌.

2. Recording and Feedback

• Operationrecord: Drivers are required to fill out the "Forklift OperationLog", recording working hours, types of goods, etc.

• ‌Problemfeedback: If any vehicle abnormality or safety hazard is found, it must bereported immediately. For example, a logistics center has set up a "safetyhotline" and encourages drivers to anonymously report violations. Enterprise Safety Culture Construction: From Systems to HabitsTraining and education

• ‌Newemployee training: It includes theoretical courses and practical assessment. Forexample, a certain enterprise requires new employees to complete 10 hours oftraining through a simulation driving system. Only after passing the assessmentcan they start working ‌.

• ‌Regularrefresher training: Safety knowledge updates are conducted every six months, withanalysis based on accident cases. A certain factory uses VR technology tosimulate forklift accident scenarios to enhance employees' safety awareness ‌.

2. Incentive mechanism

• ‌ Safetyrewards: Material rewards are given to drivers who have no consecutiveaccidents. For example, a certain enterprise sets up the "SafetyStar" award, which is selected once a month ‌.

• ‌ Violationpenalties: For behaviors that violate safety regulations, measures such aswarnings, fines, and even dismissal will be taken. A certain logistics centerhas linked violations to performance through a "safety points system"‌.

3. Technological upgrade

• ‌Intelligent monitoring: Install cameras and sensors to monitor the status of forklifts inreal time.

• ‌ dataanalysis: Utilize big data to analyze the causes of accidents and optimizeoperation processes. By analyzing historical data, a certain enterprise reducedthe forklift accident rate by 40%‌.

Safe operation of forklifts is a systematicproject that requires the joint efforts of drivers, enterprises and regulatoryauthorities. By standardizing operation procedures, strengthening training,improving systems and upgrading technologies, we can significantly reduce therisk of accidents and ensure the safety of industrial handling. Safety is nosmall matter. Details determine success or failure. Let's start from everyoperation and jointly safeguard the safety of life and property.