35 Be a Safe Driver ; Be a Safe Driver ; WATCH OUT FOR OTHER PEOPLE- Page 19

35  Be a Safe Driver 

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Be a Safe Driver 

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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 drive your truck toward anyone  

standing in front of a fixed object.

• Never allow passengers 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.

• Have load backrest vertical (never tilt when 

elevated).

• 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 Driver 

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   36

AVOID FALLS AND TIPOVERS

• 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 driving.

• 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.

• Use minimum fork tilt to pick up or place a load.  

When lifting or lowering outside a rack, keep the load 

backrest vertical or tilted back slightly.

• When moving loads on grades or ramps, drive with 

your forks pointed upgrade. Without a load, drive  

with forks downgrade. Slow down, and don’t turn on 

grades or ramps. 

LEAVING YOUR TRUCK

• Stop your truck completely before getting off.
• Lower the forks to the floor. Turn the truck off or push 

the Power Disconnect button.

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

wheels of your truck.