XXXXXXX Pty Ltd | Safe Work Procedure – Forklifts | Revision: XX | DD/MM/YYYY
SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
For
FORKLIFTS
Content: SWP and Training Plan for Forklifts
Prepared by: XXXXXXX
Date of initial implementation, Version 1: DD/MM/YYYY
Current Revision No.: 1
Date current version implemented: DD/MM/YYYY
Date for next review: DD/MM/YYYY
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT TO BE UTILISED
- Overalls or no loose clothing or dangling jewellery, shirt tucked in and long hair tied back.
- Safety Eyewear.
- Hearing Protection when operating near machinery.
- Safety Boots.
- Hand protection, when handling rough sawn timber.
- Seatbelt when operating the forklift (if fitted).
- High visibility vest or shirt.
LICENSE / PERMIT / TRAINING REQUIRED
- XXXXXXXXXXXXX permit/licence or be under instruction of a qualified instructor/trainer.
- A formal assessment and ticket/licence is mandatory before unsupervised operation is attempted.
- Operators must be authorised by XXXXXXXXXXX to perform this procedure.
START UP PROCEDURE
Before starting check that:
- First person on the forklift is to perform the daily check according to the list.
- Ensure all safety features of the forklift are operational.
DO NOT OPERATE UNSAFE MACHINERY.
If the Forklift is not in a safe operational condition, advise your supervisor or maintenance staff immediately.
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE
- Operate the forklift within the load limitations as per machine manual.
- The operator is solely responsible for the safe operation of the forklift.
- Take into consideration the operating surface, weather conditions, physical layout of the operating area and any other hazards that may exist.
- Secure the load in an appropriate manner.
- Stop before doorways; sound the horn and proceed slowly only if clear to do so.
- Refrain from rapid acceleration or deceleration and quick turns – with or without a load.
- Ensure you can bring the forklift to a safe stop at any time.
- Drive slowly if there is a need to reverse.
- Beware of tail swing.
- No passengers are allowed on the forklift.
- Drive with the fork arms as close to the ground as practicable with the tips of the fork arms tilted slightly upwards – with or without a load.
- Take extra precautions when crowding the forks as the load capacity of the hydraulic system is easily exceeded without warning causing the load to drop suddenly.
- Exercise extreme care when driving across a wet or sloping surface.
- Advise persons that if they wish to approach you to approach from the side and not from the front or rear.
- Watch balance of load.
- Make turns slowly to ensure stability and clearance of obstacles.
- Obey site traffic speeds and site instructions.
- Reversing beeper and revolving lights must operate.
- Operator must face the direction of travel.
- NO person is ever to be under the load.
- Give way to all pedestrians.
- If your vision is obscured seek the assistance of others to direct operations or drive in reverse.
- Give clear indication of your intensions to others; e.g. sound the horn to alert others.
- When approaching crossings in aisles; slow down; sound the horn and if vision is obstructed keep well over to the correct side of the aisle.
- Drive slowly without sudden changes in direction in wet slippery or loose conditions.
- Drive carefully and slowly when pedestrians are near.
- Never leave the forklift until it has completely stopped.
CLOSEDOWN PROCEDURE
- Ensure the fork arms are fully lowered; tilted slightly forward so the tips of the fork arms touch the ground.
- Ensure the controls are in neutral.
- The forklift must be parked with the motor switched off and safely stored inside and the handbrake engaged.
- Unless otherwise instructed the ignition key or starter switch key is to be removed to prevent unauthorised use.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURE
- Stop the forklift immediately with the tines down, the handbrake engaged and the key removed and safeguard people, the machine and the load.
- Apply lockout tag.
- If you have contacted a power line:
- Stay in the cab if practicable and keep others away,
- Wait until the power is shut off before leaving the forklift and
- Move the forklift off the power line if safe and practicable.
- Contact your supervisor immediately.
ADVISORY NOTES
- Forklift operators are required to assist in the maintenance of safety procedures in all logistics/warehousing areas.
- All truck drivers and any one else in these areas must wear reflective safety vests and safety boots.
- All truck drivers and pedestrians must ensure that they are visible to the forklift operator at all times.
- If truck drivers bring other persons with them in the cabin of their truck, such persons shall remain in the truck cabin at all times during loading or must not enter the site.
IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TRAINED IN THE TASK OR YOU ARE NOT SURE HOW TO PERFORM THE TASK, DO NOT OPERATE THE FORKLIFT AND ADVISE YOUR SUPERVISOR IMMEDIATELY.
OPERATOR’S STATEMENT
I have been trained in and I understand this procedure.
I will perform my tasks to the best of my ability and in accordance with this safe working procedure.
Date: ......
Operator’s Name: ......
Operator’s Signature: ......
Witness Name: ......
Witness Signature: ......
Page 1
FORKLIFT THEORY ASSESSMENT
Q1. Name at least three pieces of protective equipment to be utilised during operation of the Forklift.
......
Q2. Who is allowed to operate a Forklift on this site?
......
Q3. May the Forklift be used if it has been isolated by tags or lockouts?
Yes / / No / Q4. Under what conditions, if any, is it possible to operate an unsafe Forklift?
......
Q5. Identify three start-up checks you would carry out before operation of the Forklift.
......
Q6. Where must the tines (forks) be positioned during travel?
......
Q7. Can you take passengers on your Forklift?
Yes / / No / Q8. If repairs or maintenance is required, what procedures must be followed?
......
Q9. When is it permissible to exceed the load limits of the Forklift?
......
Q10. Are Forklift operators required to assist in the maintenance of safety procedures in logistics/warehousing areas?
Yes / / No / Employee signature: ......
Questioned by: ......
Position/ Qualifications: ......
Date:......
OBSERVATION OF ASSESSMENT
I have observed the employee ……………………………………. in a work situation and he/she has demonstrated competence in the practical aspects of the operation of a Forklift by following the Safe Work Procedure.
Signed: ......
Name: ......
Position: ......
Date: ......
Signed: ......
Name: ......
Position: ......
Date: ......
Signed: ......
Name: ......
Position: ......
Date: ......
SELF-ASSESSMENT – FORKLIFT TRAINING
Employee:......
Trainer: ......
Date: ......
I have received training in the following and understand (please initial): / YES / NOI must wear my eye and ear and foot protection, have my hair tied back and my shirt tucked in at all times. I must wear high-visibility vests/clothing.
I must change this protective equipment when it wears out or is damaged.
I must carry out a pre-operational check including but not limited to:
Safe starting and stopping procedures.
Knowing where the emergency stop is located.
Checking that the safety features are in place and operational.
Ensuring the machine is operating correctly.
The immediate area must be clear and kept clear during the operations; including:
No persons in danger.
All passengers of trucks to remain in cabin or outside of the site.
All truck drivers are wearing high-visibility vest & steel cap boots. They must remain visible at all times.
I must ensure that I:
Never crowd the forks.
Keep tines as low as possible.
Make turns slowly.
Obey site rules and speed limits.
Travel in reverse if view is restricted by the load.
Face the direction of travel.
Watch the balance of the load.
Carry loads on pallets if safe and possible.
Do not load timber with broken straps.
Ensure no persons are to ever under the load.
I am responsible for the quality of the loading and unloading.
No passengers are allowed on the Forklift.
I must advise people to approach me from the side – not the front or back.
- I have had the operation of Forklifts demonstrated to me.
- I have had the opportunity to ask questions.
- I am aware that I can request further training at any time.
- I understand that by signing below; I agree to operate Forklifts by following this Safe Work Procedure.
Signed: ......
Name: ......
Date: ......
ATTENDANCE REGISTER – FORKLIFT TRAINING
Trainer:......
Date: ......
NAMEFORKLIFT THEORY ASSESSMENT - ANSWERS
Q1. Name at least three pieces of protective equipment to be utilised during operation of the Forklift.
A: Protective eyewear, Hearing protection, Safety boots, Hand protection (recommended), Seatbelt, High visibility clothing.
Q2. Who is allowed to operate a Forklift on this site?
A: Only people who have successfully obtained a XXXXXXXXXXX Permit/ License or under instruction from a qualified instructor/trainer and authorised to do so.
Q3. May the Forklift be used if it has been isolated by tags or lockouts?
Yes / / No / Q4. Under what conditions, if any, is it possible to operate an unsafe Forklift?
A: None.
Q5. Identify three start-up checks you would carry out before operation of the Forklift.
A: Oil, water, radiator, tyres, mandatory safety features are in place and operational (add more or less depending on the make/model of forklifts).
Q6. Where must the tines (forks) be positioned during travel?
A: As low as possible.
Q7. Can you take passengers on your Forklift?
Yes / / No / Q8. If repairs or maintenance is required, what procedures must be followed?
A: Turn off the motor and apply lockout tag.
Q9. When is it permissible to exceed the load limits of the Forklift?
A: Never.
Q10. Are Forklift operators required to assist in the maintenance of safety procedures in logistics/warehousing areas?
Yes / / No / SAFE WORK PROCEDURE – FORKLIFTS
STARTUP PROCEDUREBefore starting check that:
- First operator is to perform startup checks.
- All safety features work properly.
CLOSEDOWN PROCEDURE
- Park with motor switched off.
- Safely store Forklift inside.
- Engage handbrake.
- Tines down.
- Ensure the controls are in neutral.
- The ignition key or starter switch key is to be removed.
- Stop all operations and apply lockout tag.
- Tines down, handbrake engaged and the key removed.
- Safeguard people, the machine and the load.
- Contact your supervisor immediately.
- Operate the forklift within load limits.
- Always carry bulk supplies on pallets.
- Secure loads appropriately.
- Stop before doorways & sound the horn at intersections.
- Beware of tail / rear-end swing.
- No passengers on the load or the forklift.
- Keep forks as low as possible whilst travelling.
- Take into account surface conditions.
- Advise persons to approach from the side.
- Watch balance of load.
- Make turns slowly.
- Obey speed and site instructions.
- Beepers & lights must be working.
- Face the direction of travel.
- NO person is ever to be under the load.
- Give way to all pedestrians.
- Drive in reverse if your vision is obscured.