High Risk Work Licence - Forklift Truck (LF) key terms

The legal entity - such as a company, sole trader or partnership - that runs the workplace and holds the primary duty to ensure health and safety so far as reasonably practicable.

The overarching legal obligation on a PCBU to protect workers and others from harm arising from the business, covering plant, systems of work, information, training and supervision.

A test weighing the likelihood and severity of harm against the cost, effort and availability of ways to remove or reduce the risk; only grossly disproportionate cost excuses inaction.

The obligation on each worker to take reasonable care for their own safety and that of others, follow instructions and training, and report hazards, injuries and damaged equipment promptly.

A formal authorisation issued by a regulator that permits a person to operate specified plant, such as a forklift, after proving competence through assessment and remaining fit and compliant.

The requirement that only a licensed operator may operate a forklift and that the licence, or acceptable evidence of it, is produced when requested by an inspector or employer.

A structured practical and knowledge evaluation against a national standard, confirming the candidate can inspect, plan, operate and shut down a forklift safely without supervision.

Any thing, situation or source of potential harm that could cause injury, illness or damage - for example an unstable stack, a blind corner, a wet floor or a damaged tine.

The combination of how likely a hazard is to cause harm and how severe that harm would be, expressed qualitatively or numerically to guide control decisions.

The structured process of identifying hazards, evaluating likelihood and consequence, and deciding which controls are needed and whether residual risk is acceptable.

The ranked order of risk treatments - eliminate, substitute, isolate, engineer, administrate, then use personal protective equipment - with higher ranks preferred because they rely less on human behaviour.

An action taken to eliminate a hazard or reduce its risk, such as re-routing traffic, fitting mirrors, enforcing speed limits, or requiring high-visibility clothing and separation barriers.

A forklift whose heavy chassis and counterweight behind the rear wheels balance the load on the front forks, allowing it to lift loads without outriggers or overhead support.

The dense mass built into the rear of a counterbalance forklift that offsets the forward tipping moment created by the load and mast assembly.

The three-point area formed by the centre of each front wheel and the pivot point of the steer axle, within which the combined centre of gravity must stay to keep the truck upright.

The single point where the total weight of truck and load is considered concentrated; it shifts forward and sideways as loads are raised, extended or offset.

The horizontal distance from the vertical face of the forks to the centre of gravity of the load, usually stated as 500 or 600 millimetres on a rating plate.

The maximum load mass a forklift may lift at a stated load centre and lift height under the manufacturer's conditions, shown on the data plate and load chart.

A manufacturer-supplied table or graph showing how the permitted load mass decreases as load centre distance increases or as the mast is raised or fitted with an attachment.

The reduction in allowable load mass caused by conditions such as a longer load centre, added attachments, high lift, or a non-standard fork position, read from the load chart.

The systematic check of tyres, forks, mast, chains, hydraulics, brakes, steering, horn, lights, seatbelt and fluid levels carried out before the first use of a shift.

The documented process of tagging out a faulty forklift and notifying the responsible person so repairs are scheduled and the plant is not returned to service prematurely.

A visible label attached to a defective forklift or its controls stating it must not be operated until the fault is repaired and the tag is removed by an authorised person.

The manufacturer- and site-specified intervals for servicing, inspection and testing of a forklift, recorded in a logbook so statutory and warranty requirements are met.

The mass that may safely be handled in a specific lifting situation after accounting for load centre, lift height, attachments and the forklift's rated capacity.

Judging a load's mass from markings, documentation, material density or experience, and verifying when uncertain rather than guessing and overloading the truck.

Ensuring a load is stable, restrained or wrapped, positioned against the carriage, and tilted back slightly so it cannot shift, fall or obscure the operator's view.

Moving while carrying a load low, tilted back, with the mast slightly rearward and vision clear, at walking pace and never with a raised load or person on the forks.

The planned route an operator uses, keeping to marked lanes, giving way at intersections, avoiding blind corners and maintaining clearance from racking, edges and overhead structures.

A marked or physically separated area where people must not walk, keeping them out of the forklift's operating envelope, swing radius and load-drop area.

A documented layout of routes, crossings, speed limits, signage and separation between forklifts, pedestrians and other vehicles designed to prevent collisions on site.

Using horns, eye contact, hand signals, two-way radio and agreed procedures so operators and pedestrians know each other's position and intentions before moving.

The sequence for halting a forklift in danger - release the accelerator, apply the brake, lower the forks, neutralise controls and switch off - while keeping clear of the load.

The correct reaction when a forklift starts to overturn: stay in the seat, hold the wheel, brace feet, lean away from the direction of fall and keep the seatbelt fastened.

Recording and notifying injuries, near misses, collisions and equipment damage to the supervisor and regulator as required, so causes are investigated and controls improved.

Isolating the forklift's power source - key off, battery disconnected or gas valve closed - and securing it so the machine cannot start during maintenance or inspection.

The end-of-shift routine of parking on level ground, lowering forks, applying the park brake, neutralising controls, removing the key and completing handover records.

Positioning a forklift in a designated area with forks flat on the floor, mast tilted forward, brake applied and key removed so it cannot roll or be moved by others.