Forklift Safety Tip #9 - Drivers Getting On And Off Of Forklifts From The Wrong Side
Did you know that there is a right and a wrong way to get on and off of your forklift? Well there is. You see, all sit down type (counter balance) forklifts have the hydraulic control leavers on the right hand side of the driver. Forklift seats are all off set, being closer to the left side of the forklift then they are to the right.
All drivers are supposed to enter and exit forklifts from the left side only as getting on or off from the right side will almost always cause them to knock or bump the hydraulic control leavers. This is why there is only ever a handle for helping the driver climb into the forklift on the left side of the machine. Any driver hopping on from the right is at risk of bumping the control leavers and having the forks move by accident.
Why are so many drivers blindly unaware of this law? Mostly because of never having proper teaching from a qualified instructor. A huge number of drivers learn on the job from watching other equally as clueless drivers operate. They learn to drive yet don't know even the most basic of teachings, like which side to enter and exit from.
A Worth While Exercise Is To Watch One Of Your Drivers Next Time They Hop On A Forklift And Consider The Following:
If They Don't Even Know Which Side To Legally Enter And Exit From, What Other Basic But ESSENTIAL Safety Knowledge Have They Never Been Taught?
If you have any question relating to this or any other matter, please feel free to call on
1300 799 112.