3 Protect ; Protect Yourself; Note: - Page 3

3 Protect 

Yourself

Protect Yourself

Know the Hazards

WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT

Falling from a truck can cause serious injury or even
death.
• Fasten your seat belt and pull it snug before operating 

your truck. Keep it fastened until you leave the truck.

• Stay with your truck. Don't jump from an overturning 

or falling sit-down rider truck. 

Note:  

This is not 

like stand-up end control rider trucks, where it is 
recommended that the operator exit the truck in 
these emergencies.

DRIVE CAREFULLY

• Never stick your foot, hand, head or any part of 

your body outside the operator area, no matter how 
slow  the truck is moving. Anything caught between 
the truck and a fi xed object will be crushed or even 
cut off.

• Stay away from the edge of docks and ramps. Make  

 sure dock boards are secure. Check that trailer 
wheels are chocked. You could be seriously injured 
or even killed in a fall from a dock or dockboard.

• Keep your truck under control at all times. Drive at a  

 speed that allows you to stop safely. Be even more  
 careful on slippery or uneven surfaces. Do not drive  
 over objects on the fl oor.

LOOK WHERE YOU'RE DRIVING

• Always be alert to the area around you and watch  

 where you are driving. You could be pinned or 
crushed by objects intruding or poking into the 
operator area.

• Be sure that any equipment added to the truck 

(terminal, fan, clipboard, etc.) does not block your 
vision or interfere with safe and effi cient operation 

  of this truck.

Protect Yourself   4

Know the Hazards

AVOID FALLS 

Tipovers are very serious accidents. You can be 
crushed or even killed by the falling truck if you try 
to jump clear. Keep your seat belt fastened, grip the 
steering wheel tightly, brace your feet, and lean away 
from the direction of fall. The best way to prevent 
injury is to know where you are at all times and follow 
the rules of safe truck operation.

• Be extremely careful when working around docks,

dockboards and trailers. 

• Use forward tilt only when you have the load in a

rack, over a stack or close to the fl oor.

• Travel with the load or forks close to the ground 

and mast tilted back. Watch for overhead 
obstructions. Perform all truck movements 
smoothly and at a speed that will give you 
time to react in an emergency.

• An unloaded truck can tip over also. Be just as 
  careful using an unloaded truck as you are a 
 loaded 

one.

USE YOUR TRUCK SAFELY

• Keep your hands and feet away from all moving parts 

such as masts, chains or wheels. Make sure the load  
backrest is in place, when required. 

• Never stand on or under the forks, or allow anyone

else to stand on or under them. The only way to 
lift people is with an approved platform. Never 
allow passengers on the truck. There is no safe 
place for them.

• Before you leave your truck:

• Come to a complete stop and lower forks to 
 the 

fl oor.

• Shut truck off with the key or power disconnect. 
• Apply the parking brake.

Stay clear of all
moving parts.

Moving parts can
cut or crush hands,
feet, arms or legs.

WARNING