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HOW TO OPERATE A PALLET TRUCK SAFELY

A boy playing in the sand with his truck doesn’t need safety rules, but things are different when he grows up and wants to operate a fork lift. 

These are powerful and heavy pieces of equipment, and it’s imperative that drivers receive appropriate forklift training and follow correct operating procedures to ensure everyone keeps safe.   Although no academic qualifications are generally required for forklift and pallet jack drivers, many places do require them to complete a certified training course and pass a licence test.

Here are a few guidelines from one of the leading suppliers of forklift trucks in Perth, G&M Forklift Hire, on how to operate the vehicles safely :-

• The pallet jack or forklift should not be driven if the driver is tired.
• Before a driver starts their shift, they should do a thorough inspection of the fork lift  – including load arms, brakes, steering, controls etc.
• Seatbelts should always be worn if available.
• Loads should be carried as close to the ground as safely possible and should always be within the manufacturers’ load specifications for that particular model of forklift.
• Only use the forklift for the purpose for which it was designed, and only lift a person if it has been designed to do so or if there is a legal work platform attached.
•  Always travel within speed limits, avoid rapid acceleration, deceleration or quick turns and ensure you can make a safe stop at any stage.
• Take care when driving your forklift up gradients – and tilt the mast back.
• The pallet truck should not be parked on an incline or be left stationary with the engine running.
• When you leave the fork lift truck, put all controls into neutral, shut off the power, put the park brakes on and remove the ignition key or starter key, and make sure the forks are fully lowered.

These are versatile and extremely useful pieces of equipment, but it is imperative that they are operated safely and responsibly, says G & M Forklift Hire, who supply a fork lifts and a range of different types of pallet truck in Perth.