Forklift

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Duration:  4 Hours

Target Audience: Employees operating Forklifts

Regulatory Basis:

• Title 8 CCR § 3668 (Powered Industrial Trucks – General)
• Title 8 CCR § 3650 (Industrial Trucks – Operating Rules)
• Title 8 CCR § 3203 (Injury and Illness Prevention Program – training)

Learning Objective:
Ensure operators can safely inspect, operate, and maintain forklifts while recognizing hazards and complying with Cal/OSHA requirements.

• Types of powered industrial trucks:
  • Sit-down rider forklifts
  • Stand-up forklifts
  • Pallet jacks
  • Reach trucks
• Common causes of accidents:
  • Tip-overs
  • Struck-by incidents
  • Falling loads
• Operator responsibilities

• Training and evaluation requirements:
• Must be completed before operating a forklift
• Employer responsibilities under §3203 (IIPP)
• Requirement for operator evaluation and certification
• Differences between Cal/OSHA and Federal OSHA (general awareness)

• Key components:
  • Mast
  • Forks
  • Carriage
  • Overhead guard
  • Controls and instrumentation
• Fuel types:
  • Electric
  • Propane
  • Diesel/Gasoline
• Nameplate data and load capacity

• Stability triangle concept
• Center of gravity and load balance
• Effects of:
  • Load height
  • Tilt
  • Speed
• Load capacity and limitations
• Handling different types of loads

• Daily inspection requirements:
  • Tires, forks, chains, hydraulics
  • Fluid levels
  • Safety devices (horn, lights, alarms)
• Operational checks:
  • Steering
  • Brakes
  • Controls
• Removing unsafe equipment from service

• Mounting/dismounting (3-point contact)
• Traveling safely:
  • Speed control
  • Visibility (driving in reverse when needed)
• Turning and maneuvering
• Operating on inclines:
  • Load upgrade rules
• Parking procedures
• Pedestrian awareness

• Narrow aisles and confined spaces
• Loading docks and ramps
• Surface conditions
• Working around pedestrians and other vehicles
• Warehouse vs outdoor operation

• Pre-use inspection demonstration
• Controls familiarization
• Driving exercises:
  • Starting/stopping
  • Turning
  • Load handling
  • Stacking and unstacking loads
  • Parking and shutdown procedures

• Written knowledge test
• Practical driving evaluation:
  • Safe operation
  • Load handling
• Employer certification/authorization to operate specific forklift types