Material Lift Rental 5'5" 200 lbs capacity Genie LL5.5 LL05

Safety Information

Introduction

A forklift is a powerful tool that allows one person to precisely lift and place large heavy loads with little effort. Using a tool such as a forklift, cart or hand truck instead of lifting and carrying items by hand can reduce the risk that you will suffer a back injury.

However, there is great risk of injury or death when a forklift operator:

• Has not been trained in the principles of physics that allows a forklift to lift heavy loads,
  
• Is not familiar with how a particular forklift operates,
  
• Operates the forklift carelessly, or
  
• Uses a forklift that is not safe due to malfunctioning or missing parts.

• Class 1—Electric Motor, Rider, Counter-Balanced Trucks (solid and pneumatic tires).
  
• Class 2—Electric Motor Narrow Aisle Trucks (solid tires).
  
• Class 3—Electric Motor Hand Trucks or Hand/Rider Trucks (solid tires).
  
• Class 4—Internal Combustion Engine Trucks (solid tires).
  
• Class 5—Internal Combustion Engine Trucks (pneumatic tires).
  
• Class 6—Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Tractors (solid and pneumatic tires). There are no forklifts in this class.
  
• Class 7—Rough Terrain Forklift Trucks (pneumatic tires).

• Is the horn working? Sound the horn at intersections and wherever vision is obstructed.
  
• Are there hydraulic leaks in the mast or elsewhere? These could cause slipping hazards or lead to hydraulic failure.
  
• Are fuel connections tight and battery terminals covered? Dropping a piece of metal across battery terminals can cause an explosion.
  
• Is there a lot of lint, grease, oil or other material on the forklift that could catch on fire?
  
• Do sparks or flames come out from the exhaust system?
  
• Does the engine show signs of overheating?
  
• Are tires at proper pressure and free of damage? A tire with low pressure or a tire failure can cause a forklift to tip or fall when a load is high.
  
• Do all controls such as lift, lower, and tilt work smoothly? Are they labeled?
  
• Is there any deformation or cracks in the forks, mast, overhead guard, or backrest?
  
• Are lights operating if used at night or in dark locations?
  
• Is steering responsive? A lot of play or hard steering will reduce your control.
  
• Do brakes stop smoothly and reliably? Sudden stops can cause tipping.
  
• Does the parking brake hold the forklift on an incline?
  
• Are seat belts (if equipped) working and accessible?
  
• Is the load capacity plate readable?

• Operate a forklift only while in the seat or operator’s station. Never start it or operate the controls while standing beside the forklift.
  
• Never allow passengers unless the forklift was designed for a passenger.
  
• Do not put any part of your body between the uprights of the mast or when traveling, outside of the forklift frame.
  
• Always look in the direction of travel and keep a clear view of the travel path. Travel in reverse if the load blocks your view.
  
• Always observe posted speed limits at your workplace. A forklift should not be driven faster than a quick walking pace.
  
• Keep a distance of at least three forklift lengths between you and any forklift traveling in front of you.
  
• Do not pass a forklift traveling in the same direction if it is at a blind spot, intersection or other dangerous location.
  
• Never drive a forklift up to anyone in front of a bench or other fixed object.
  
• Never allow anyone to walk or stand under the elevated forks – even if the forks are not carrying a load.
  
• Check that there is adequate clearance under beams, lights, sprinklers, and pipes for the forklift and load to pass.
  
• Never engage in stunt driving or horseplay.

• Is it stable or will parts slide or fall during transit? Secure it as necessary. The illustrations below show some common pallet stacking patterns.
  
• Do the dimensions and weight of the load fall within the capacity rating of the forklift at the highest elevation and extension you will handle the load? If not, can you break the load into smaller parts?
  When you pick up the load:
  
• Move squarely into position in front of the load.
  
• Position the forks wide apart to keep the load balanced.
  
• Drive the forks fully under the load.
  
• Tilt the mast backward slightly to stabilize the load and lift. Check the destination before you place the load.
  
• Is the destination flat and stable — or, will the load rock, tilt or lean?
  
• Never place heavy loads on top of light loads.
  
• Observe maximum stacking quantities and orientation if printed on cartons.
  
• Do you know the load bearing capacity of your rack or storage loft destination?
  
• Are rack legs or support members bent or disconnected? The load bearing capacity of a damaged rack is unknown! Wait until the damaged component has been replaced before loading.
  
• Are racks arranged back to back with a stock behind where you will place the load? Someone may need to be in the next aisle to control access while you place the load.
  
• Are wooden stringers or decking laid between front and rear rack beams in good condition?
  
• If you are stacking, are other pallets in the stack in good condition and capable of supporting the load in addition to what they are already supporting?

• Move squarely into position in front of the rack or stack where the load will be placed.
  
• When ready to place the load, tilt the mast to level. Only tilt forward when the load is over the spot where it will be placed.
  
• Lower the forks and back away.
  
• Visually verify that the load is stable.

• The platform must have standard guardrails which include a top rail 36” to 42” above the platform (39” to 45” on a construction site), midrail and toeboard. It must also prevent contact with chains and shear points on the mast. See the illustration for an example.
  
  

  Forklift work platform has standard guardrails and a screen to prevent contact with moving parts of the mast. A chain secures the platform to the mast.

  
  
  Never stand on the forks or a pallet to work at an elevated level.
  
  
• The platform must be securely attached to the forks such as by a clamp or chain.
  
• Check with the forklift manufacturer to verify that the hydraulic system will not allow the lift mechanism to drop faster than 135 feet per minute in the event of a system failure. Identify the forklift as approved for use with the platform.
  
• Lock or secure the tilt control to prevent the boom from tilting.
  
• A forklift operator must be at the normal operating position when lifting and lowering the platform. The operator must be near the forklift while a worker is elevated.
  
• Except to inch or maneuver at low speeds, do not move the forklift between two points when a worker is on the platform.

• Do not smoke or allow any open flames or spark /arc generating equipment in the refueling / charging area.
  
• Make sure there is adequate ventilation to disburse fumes.
  
• Make sure there is a fire extinguisher nearby.
  
• Make sure there is a barrier that protects the pump or charger against vehicle damage.

• LPG gas is very cold. Wear gloves when changing LPG tanks. Check for leaks before operating.

• Turn the engine “OFF” and apply the hand brake before gasoline or diesel refueling.
  
• Clean up any spilled fuel before restarting the engine.
  Battery operated forklifts
  
• When charging batteries, keep the battery vent caps in place to prevent electrolyte spray. (Check that the vent caps are not plugged.)
  
• Keep the battery compartment open to dissipate heat.
  
• Keep tools and other metal objects away from the top of the battery to prevent an arc or explosion due to short circuited terminals.
  
• When adding fluid to the battery, wear safety glasses and a face shield for protection against electrolyte splash or spray.
  
• Battery charging areas must have a way to flush and neutralize spilled electrolyte.
  
• Do not attempt to remove a battery from the forklift unless you have been trained and the charging station is equipped with a hoist designed for this purpose.
  
• If you do any service to a battery beyond routine charging the employer must supply an eyewash that can be reached within 10 seconds and that is capable of providing .4 gallons of water per minute for 15 minutes.

• A Class I location contains flammable gases or vapors.
  
• A Class II location contains combustible dust.
  
• A Class III location contains easily ignited fibers.
  
• An Unclassified location is a general storage, commercial or industrial location without the hazard conditions described above.
  
• A Division I location has a high potential for the hazard to be present.
  
• A Division II location has a lower potential for the hazard to develop.