FORKLIFT OPERATOR
SAFETY TRAINING
Section 3 | Trucks, Trailer, and Rail cars
It's John's first day driving forklift at the plant. A driver backs up to the dock to pick up his load. John flips the switch on the restraint system that's supposed to latch onto the rear of the trailer, but it won't work. He looks for the wheel chocks, but he can't find them.
The driver is in a hurry to hit the road. He sets the tractor parking brake and tells John it's safe to load the trailer. John doesn't want to hold him up, but he's not sure if it's safe to load the trailer.
Is it safe for John to load the trailer?
Be careful! That trailer isn't secured to the dock. Even with the tractor attached, it could rock forward or be unstable.
John calls maintenance to get the restraint system working, and maintenance comes down and makes the repairs. But the truck driver is still giving him a hard time. John takes the time to walk into the trailer and make sure it's well lit and that the floor is solid.
John finds the wheel chocks, and chocks the wheels of the trailer.
Is it safe for John to load the trailer?
It's safe for John to load the trailer. The trailer is secured with a restraint system and wheel chocks, John has inspected the inside of the trailer, and he's using a dock plate to enter the trailer.
John loads the trailer, and the truck driver finally leaves. A new trailer is backed up to the dock for unloading. The trailer is left without a tractor. John engages the restraint system, but it isn't working again.
John's coworker finds an extra set of wheel chocks at his dock, and walks them over. John puts the wheel chocks under the rear wheels, and the coworker puts a trailer jack under the front of the trailer. She also puts a warning sign at the front of the trailer to make sure that no one moves it while John is working inside. John inspects the inside of the trailer and puts down a dock plate.
Is it safe for John to load the trailer?
It is safe for John to unload. But it's a good thing his coworker put down the trailer jack. Without it the trailer might tip forward as John unloaded.
As a forklift operator, you may be required to load or unload trucks, semi trailers, or railroad cars. The first thing you should do each time is walk into the trailer to make sure it's safe:
- Make sure the trailer is well lit inside.
- Check that your lift mast will clear the ceiling.
Check the floor for obstructions or loose objects, and look for holes or weak points.
Dock plates are used to bridge the gap between the dock and the trailer.
When using a dock plate, take these precautions:
- Make sure that your dock plate is designed for the combined weight of the load, the forklift, and you.
- Inspect dock plates every day for cracks, bends and any other signs of failure.
- When using a portable dock plate, make sure that the dock plate overlaps both the dock and the trailer by at least eight inches.
-
Secure
the dock plate before walking or driving over it. Portable dock
plates usually have a vertical divider to prevent slipping.
A great deal of the danger in working inside a trailer comes from the chance that the trailer will creep away from the dock. This is called trailer creep.
If a trailer is left at a loading dock without the tractor attached, the trailer is likely to creep forward as you work in it. Don't take chances. Several restraint systems and tools are available.
Wheel chocks must be placed in front of the rear wheels of the trailer. Note that wheel chocks can be loosened by the movement of the trailer.
Trailer-mounted vehicle restraints clamp onto the trailer's rear impact guard. This system will signal when the restraint is engaged or if there is a problem.
Wheel-mounted vehicle restraints latch onto the trailer's rear wheels. They can be used when the trailer doesn't have a rear impact guard, or the guard is damaged.
Trailer jack stands keep a trailer from up-ending when a forklift drives to the front of the trailer, or the trailer is unbalanced by loading or unloading. Don't depend on the trailer's landing gear alone.
Take these precautions when working with trailers:
- Make sure the truck or trailer is properly secured and the engine is off before you load or unload.
- If you don't have a restraining system with indicator lights, post signs warning not to move the trailer.
- At some loading docks, the pavement slopes downhill to the dock—this is not a substitute for wheel chocks and restraint systems.
- If the trailer is not ventilated, take care that you are not at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Exhaust fumes and emissions from the forklift may build up inside.
Ramps and inclines are common to loading areas. Inclines can cause a forklift to tip over. On inclines greater than ten percent, keep the load on the uphill side of the forklift.
Introduction | Welcome to Forklift Safety Training
Section 1 | Forklift Basics and Inspection
Section 2 | Driving, Lifting, and Placing
Section 3 | Trucks, Trailer, and Rail cars
Section 4 | Parking & Refueling
Section 5 | Special Units and Maintenance
Section 6 | Conclusion