3 Protect ; Protect Yourself; Protect Yourself 4- 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 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 

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 fixed object will be crushed or even 
cut off.

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

 sure dockboards 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 floor.

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 operation of this truck

Protect Yourself   4

Know the Hazards

AVOID FALLS AND TIPOVERS

Tipovers are very serious accidents.  You can be 
crushed or even killed if you try to jump clear of an 
overturning or falling sit-down truck. Keep your seat 
belt fastened, grip the steering wheel tightly, brace 
your feet, and push yourself back between the side 
restraints. The best way to prevent injury is 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  
  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 chains, wheels or mast.  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, lower forks to the fl oor, and shut the truck off  
  with the key or power disconnect.

Stay clear of all
moving parts.

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

WARNING