DESCRIPTION:
This video highlights many important tips regarding forklift operation. It focuses on loading and unloading trucks such as a flatbed. This video does not focus on loading trucks from a loading dock.

Tips mentioned for forklift operation:
1.) Before Backing Up:
a.) Checking Surroundings.
b.) Check mirrors
c.) Look behind you.
d.) Backup warning light is blinking
e.) Warning alarm is sounding.

2.) Watch out for Blind Spots:
a.) Always go slow at blind spots.
b.) Always beep at the blind spots.
c.) Coming into sunny area from shaded area can be blinding.
d.) Another blind spot: Coming out from the shop to the outside.

3.) Buckled up.
4.) Carrying load as low to ground as possible.
5.) Watch your speed.
6.) Tilt mast back slightly.
7.) Lower load as soon as possible and before turning!
8.) Never turn with load elevated.
9.) Raise and lower load evenly, smoothly, and slowing.
10.) Fork tips must touch ground when parking lift.
11.) Understand your environment, here the operators have hit the pillars inside their shop.

12.) When Loading/Unloading Trucks:
a.) Always ensure no personnel are around.
b.) Communicate with others.
c.) Limit access to the loading area.
d.) Never jump out the back of the truck.
e.) Walk around the truck and inspect it and the surrounding area.
f.) Inspect the pallets and materials to ensure they are in good condition.
g.) Keep fingers, hands, and all body parts clear and away from load.
h.) Secure loads properly. Understand your equipment and how to do this for each truck!

TIPS ON HOW TO USE THIS VIDEO:
Always look to create curiosity before showing any video in your toolbox talk. Ask your team to look or listen for something that is in the video. Then afterward debrief it by asking people to give the answers to what they heard or saw. This has proven to foster great participation when I’ve conducted toolbox talks and training over the years.

Before showing this video, ask your team to see if the video “missed” something or didn’t mention a safety tip that they know to be a good one relating to this topic of forklift operation and loading/unloading trucks. People sometimes like to find “fault” or “be smarter” than the video. And honestly, there’s always something else that could be pointed out. So from a training standpoint, let’s take advantage of your team’s experience and get them thinking about this topic even before showing this video.

Here are some items not mentioned in the video that could definitely be discussed:
1.) When going up or down ramps while carrying a load, always have the forks pointed upward.
2.) When going up or down ramps without a load, always have the forks pointed downward.
3.) Crossing train tracks, cross over slowly and at a 45 degree angle.
4.) Establish pedestrian walkways. Notice at the 3:20 mark in the video, the coworker walks in the bay door right in front of the forklift and has his back to the lift. This is a bad habit as it creates a pinch point with the wall of the bay door and the lift itself. Always get out of the way of mobile equipment and don’t place yourself in their path of travel and in the way of pinch points.
5.) Drive in reverse in a seated forklift if you have any kind of obstructed view.
6.) There was no discussion of loading docks as it relates to loading/unloading trucks because this video didn’t have that context. If loading docks apply to your job, you should certainly discuss them as a good example of a workplace-specific hazard and safety concern for your team to reminded of in your toolbox talk.

And as always, be prepared to make your final comments regarding what stood out to you and how you can apply lessons learned from this video to your equipment and workplace.

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