Important forklift trip points to watch out

The trips happen when you fail to see an object in your way and lose balance and eventually fall. Trip hazards are the most common hazards taking place at a wide range in almost every material handling industry. And when we talk about industries using forklift machines, we have often heard about workers facing serious consequences such as injury or even death. We always need to stay attentive and take effective measures while performing our assigned tasks at work.

Why do trips happen?

Sometimes we get focused on a specific task and lose our way out. Failing to give enough attention to our surroundings makes us fall in front of our coworkers. The trips majorly take place due to :

• Obstructions in Walkways

• Uneven Floors

• Cleaning Methods

• Clutter

• Lighting Issue

• Footwear

To avoid such trips and falls at the workplace, you need to get training from the best forklift training school in Canada. Training will help you minimize accidents and fatalities on the job. 

Forklift trip points that you always need to keep in mind while working are as follows:

• Pedals:

It is necessary to get fully acquainted with your forklift machine, especially if it has pedals. Every machine has a slightly different pedaling system. Always look out for service brakes, gears, and parking brake pedals carefully whenever you enter and exit the forklift. 

• Steps: 

If you are working on a forklift you always need to step up and down. Frequent up and down can surely make you tip from the forklift, leaving you all embarrassed in front of your coworkers. Well, it may also lead to a severe foot injury in very uncommon circumstances. You always need to use a 3-point stance when stepping down or up. Also, care to hold a tight grip of a forklift pole for ultimate balance. To make a perfect balance, you can also use an assist grip, overhead guard, or pillar. 

• Floorboards:

The floorboards always come in different shapes and sizes. Therefore, you need to stay extra careful while looking for changes in elevation and abnormalities. A damaged or ill working floorboard should always be replaced on time. Floorboards are the second most common cause of tripping caused in forklift workplaces. Always check for the up-to-the-mark installations before you turn your machine’s engine on.

• Fork and Attachments:

Always stay focused in your walkways. As sometimes carpet poles or clamps may result in elevation change at very low heights and they instantly change the length and width of the forklift. This situation might cause tripping in cases you become less attentive about your surroundings. Having a Canadian forklift certification ensures that you have been properly trained with forklift machines’ safety operations.