High Risk Work Licence - Forklift Truck (LF) flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

PCBU primary duty

A person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure the health and safety of workers and others so far as is reasonably practicable, including providing safe plant, training, and supervision.

LF licence

The high risk work licence class for operating a forklift truck; the operator must hold a current licence, carry it or produce it on request, and renew it every five years.

Notifiable incident

A death, serious injury or illness, or dangerous incident such as a forklift tip-over or load drop that must be reported to the regulator immediately, followed by written notice.

Hierarchy of control

The order of risk controls from most to least effective: eliminate the hazard, substitute, apply engineering controls, then administrative controls, with PPE as the last line of defence.

Risk score

A rating calculated by multiplying the likelihood of a hazard causing harm by the consequence severity; controls are applied until the residual risk is acceptable under the site risk matrix.

Stability triangle

The triangle formed by the two front wheels and the centre of the steer axle; the combined centre of gravity of the truck and load must remain inside it to prevent tip-over.

Load centre

The horizontal distance from the vertical face of the forks to the centre of gravity of the load; rated capacity applies only at the load centre stated on the data plate.

Data plate

The manufacturer's plate showing model, serial number, rated capacity, load centre, lift height, and tyre type; no load may exceed any limit stated on it.

Fork heel wear limit

Forks must be withdrawn from service when heel wear exceeds about ten percent of the original fork thickness, or when cracks, bends, or other damage are found.

Pre-start checklist

A daily recorded inspection of tyres, forks, mast chains, hoses, fluids, lights, horn, alarm, brakes, and seat belt; safety-critical defects require tag-out and reporting.

Load moment

The product of load weight and the distance from the fork face to the load's centre of gravity; it must not exceed the rated moment shown for the truck.

Capacity derating

Reduction of rated capacity when the actual load centre or lift height exceeds the stated values, or when an attachment adds weight or shifts the load centre forward.

Safe travel height

Carrying the load low, about 100 to 150 millimetres above the ground, with the mast tilted back and forks trailing when unladen, to keep the centre of gravity low.

Ramp travel rule

On a ramp, travel with the load uphill: drive forward up the ramp and reverse down it, and never turn on a ramp or travel across a slope.

Traffic management plan

A site document defining vehicle routes, pedestrian walkways, exclusion zones, speed limits, and crossing points, with physical separation as the primary control.

Blind corner procedure

Slow down, sound the horn, check mirrors and blind spots, and make eye contact with pedestrians before proceeding through a blind corner or intersection.

Tip-over response

If a tip-over occurs, stay in the seat, brace against the wheel, and do not jump; jumping is the leading cause of fatal crush injuries in forklift tip-overs.

Shutdown procedure

Lower the forks to the ground, select neutral, apply the park brake, switch off, remove the key, and chock the wheels on a slope before leaving the truck.

Post-operational handover

Report defects, incidents, and near misses, record hours, refuel or recharge, secure the key, and complete the post-operational inspection record for the next shift.

Load moment formula

Load moment equals load weight multiplied by the distance from the fork face to the load centre of gravity; the result must not exceed the truck's rated moment.

Spotter role

A designated person who guides the operator for oversized loads, blind lifts, or reversing into tight spaces, remaining visible to the operator at all times.

Exclusion zone

A marked area around a forklift operation, especially when loads are raised or oversized, that pedestrians must not enter while the truck is working.

Weight estimation

Estimating load weight from volume multiplied by material density, plus pallet weight, and confirming with markings, dockets, or a weighbridge when uncertain.

Racking inspection

Checking racking for bent beams, damaged uprights, and missing clips before placing loads; damaged bays must be tagged out and not loaded.

Battery charging safety

Charging requires ventilation to disperse hydrogen gas, no ignition sources, acid-resistant PPE, and isolation of the battery before maintenance work.

Root cause investigation

A structured analysis, such as the 5 Whys or fishbone method, that identifies contributing factors behind an incident and leads to verified corrective actions.

Attachment derating

Attachments such as clamps or rotators add weight and shift the load centre forward, reducing capacity; the revised capacity must appear on the attachment data plate.

Slope capacity reduction

Gradients reduce effective capacity and lateral stability; operators must reduce speed and load, keep the load low, and never turn on a ramp.

Pedestrian eye contact

Operators and pedestrians should make eye contact and acknowledge each other before either moves, confirming the pedestrian has been seen.

Centre of gravity

The point where the combined weight of truck and load acts; it must stay inside the stability triangle, and it rises and shifts when loads are raised or offset.

Site authorisation

A licence alone does not authorise all tasks; operators must be assessed and authorised for each specific truck type and task on each site.

Load restraint

Securing a load with shrink wrap, strapping, or banding, and ensuring it is stable, fully seated on the forks, and centred before lifting and travelling.