Stay clear of all- Page 3

Know the Hazards

Protect Yourself

3   Protect Yourself

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.

WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT

Falling from a truck can cause serious injury or even death.
• Fasten your seat belt and pull it snug 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 

stand-up end control rider trucks, where it is 
recommended that the operator exit the truck in these 
emergencies.

Know the Hazards

Protect Yourself   4

AVOID FALLS AND TIPOVERS

Tipovers are very serious accidents.  You can be crushed

or even killed if you try to jump clear of a falling sit-down
truck. Keep your seatbelt fastened, grip the steering wheel
tightly, brace your feet, and lean away from the direction
of fall. 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 floor.

  
• 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 and lower forks to the floor.

• Shut the truck off with the key or power disconnect.
• Apply the parking brake.

07

Stay clear of all
moving parts.

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

WARNING