3 Protect Yourself; Protect Yourself; Protect Yourself 4- Page 3

3  Protect Yourself

Protect Yourself

Know the Hazards

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. 

Stay clear of all

moving parts.

Moving parts can

cut or crush hands,

feet, arms or legs.

WARNING