Do not raise or lower the forks before you stop the lift truck and set the brakes. Ensure that the forks are free of the load before backing up.

When parking a lift truck the heels of the forks should be as low as possible and the tips touching the ground.

A forklift should never be parked on an incline. If the forklift becomes disabled on an incline the wheels should be chocked to prevent any accidental rolling until repairs can be completed. Lower any load to the ground when parking the forklift.

When parking a forklift, slowly bring the vehicle to a stop, set the parking brake, turn off the ignition and remove the keys. If you are parking on an incline, turn the front wheels away from the downgrade so the forklift will not slide.

Ensure there is adequate overhead clearance before lifting a load. Slowly lift a load and tilt the mast backward to stabilize it. Slowly return the lift control to the neutral position.

Safety in Manual Material Handling

• Step-1: Position the feet.
• Step-2: Straight back and bend knees.
• Step-3: Load close the body.
• Step-4: Correct Grasp.
• Step-5: Tuck your Chin In.
• Steps-6: Keep body weight directly over feet and lift with legs.

Bend your hips and knees to squat down to your load, keep it close to your body, and straighten your legs to lift. Never lift a heavy object above shoulder level. Avoid turning or twisting your body while lifting or holding a heavy object.

There are suggested recommendations for manual handling lifting limits which set out guidelines for safe maximum lifting weights for employees. The legal manual handling guidelines suggest that the maximum safe lifting weight for a woman is 16kg, and the maximum safe lifting weight for men is 25kg.

16kg

i) technical measures (e.g. encasing, exhaust), ii) organisational measures (e.g. only qualified employees are allowed to do specified work), iii) personal measures (e.g. wearing PPE), iv) behavioural measures (e.g. peer-observation).

What are the 3 stages of the hierarchy of measures?

• Level 1: Avoiding Work at Height.
• Level 2: Preventing Falls Through the Existing Workplace.
• Level 3: Preventing Falls Through Collective Equipment.
• Level 4: Preventing Falls Through PPE.
• Level 5: Minimising Distance Through Collective Equipment.

Hierarchy of Control Measures

• Level 1: Avoid Working at Height.
• Level 2: Ensure All Those Working at Height are Properly Trained and Supervised.
• Level 3: Select Work Equipment that Prevents Falls.
• Level 4: Ensure that Equipment is Suitable, Stable, and Strong.
• Level 5: Regularly Check and Maintain Equipment.

Eliminating the hazard and risk is the highest level of control in the hierarchy, followed by reducing the risk through substitution, isolation and engineering controls, then reducing the risk through administrative controls.

NIOSH defines five rungs of the Hierarchy of Controls: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment. The hierarchy is arranged beginning with the most effective controls and proceeds to the least effective.

What are the 6 steps in the hierarchy of control?

1. Step 1: Design or re-organise to eliminate hazards.
2. Step 2: Substitute the hazard with something safer.
3. Step 3: Isolate the hazard from people.
4. Step 4: Use engineering controls.
5. Step 5: Use administrative controls.
6. Step 6: Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)