Stay clear of all- Page 3

Know the Hazards

Protect Yourself

3   Protect Yourself

DRIVE CAREFULLY

• Keep your hands on the controls and feet on the 

pedals/pad. Keep your entire body in the operator area.

• Never stick a foot or any part of your body outside the

operator area, no matter how slow the truck is moving.
You cannot stop 3630 kg (

8000 pounds

) with any part 

of your body.  A foot or hand 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.

Protect Yourself   4

Know the Hazards

AVOID FALLS AND TIPOVERS

Falls from docks and tipovers are very serious accidents;

you can be crushed or even killed.  Immediately exit and
move away from the truck in these emergencies.

Note:

  This is not like sit-down rider trucks, where it is 

recommended that the operator stay with the truck.

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.

•

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 using a loaded one.

USE YOUR TRUCK SAFELY

•

Keep your hands and feet away from all moving parts 
such as masts, chains, forks or wheels.  Make sure the 
overhead guard and load backrest are in place.

•

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 floor.

•

Shut the truck off with the key or power disconnect.

07

Stay clear of all
moving parts.

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

WARNING