WHEN LEAVING YOUR TRUCK- Page 14

Be a Safe Operator 

continued

25   Be a Safe Operator 

continued

WHEN LEAVING YOUR TRUCK

• Lower the forks to the floor.  Turn the truck off or 

disconnect the battery.

• Avoid parking on inclines.  But if you must, block the 

wheels of your truck.

WATCH OUT FOR OTHER PEOPLE

• Slow down.  Yield or stop for pedestrians.

Use your horn when you come to a crosswalk
or intersection.

• Be careful that you don't pin or crush someone.

For example: Never move your truck toward anyone 
standing in front of a fixed object.

• Never allow anyone to ride on your truck.

•  Keep others away from your truck while you're working.
  Don't ever allow anyone on or under the load or forks.

• Don't let anyone use your truck unless they are trained

and certified.

• Never lift anyone with the forks unless they are using 

an approved platform.  Even then use extreme caution:
• Use a securely attached and approved safety platform.
• Make certain lifting mechanism is operating properly.
• Make certain truck is in neutral and brake is applied.
• Lift and lower slowly.
• Watch for overhead obstructions.
• Be sure you can see and hear the person being lifted.
• Never transport anyone on the platform from one 

     location to another.

Be a Safe Operator 

continued

   26

AVOID FALLS

• Stay away from the edge of docks and ramps.

• Check that bridgeplates and dockboards are secure.  Be

certain that either the trailer wheels are chocked or the
trailer is locked to the dock.  Check capacities.  Be sure
your truck, with load, isn't too heavy for where you are
operating.

• Make sure the load you are moving is stable.  Spread 

the forks as far as you can and center the load.  Insert 
the forks as far under the load as you can.  Be even more
careful with long, high or wide loads.  They can be less
stable.

• Don't take your truck onto an elevator unless you are 

authorized.  Check the capacity or load limit and make
sure there are no people present.  Enter load first and 
set the brake.

BE CAREFUL TRAVELING ON RAMPS AND GRADES

• Stay out of the path of the truck.

• With or without a load, travel with the forks pointed 

downgrade.

• If a load requires that you travel with the forks upgrade,

be even more careful.  Operate the controls from the 
side of the truck.

• Slow down and don't turn on ramps or grades.