Operational Techniques: Travelling, Manoeuvring and Load Placement
Safe travelling
Operate at a safe speed, especially in congested areas, near pedestrians, and on uneven ground. Travel with the load low and mast tilted back. Keep forks about 100–200 mm off the ground. Sound the horn at blind corners and intersections. Maintain a safe following distance. When travelling on ramps, drive up forwards and down backwards (for counterbalance forklifts) to keep the load uphill. Never turn on a ramp.
Manoeuvring and placement
Use smooth acceleration and braking. Avoid sharp turns; slow down before turning. When placing loads, ensure the area is clear and the racking or stack is secure. Position the forklift squarely, raise the load to the required height, and move slowly forward. Use the mast tilt to place the load gently. Engage the parking brake before lifting or lowering.
Traps in exam questions
- Travelling with the load raised high.
- Turning on a ramp or slope.
- Forgetting to sound the horn at blind spots.
- Placing loads on unstable stacks or overloaded racking.
Worked example
To place a load on a rack, approach squarely, raise the load to just above the shelf level, move forward slowly, lower the load onto the rack, and withdraw. Ensure the rack is rated for the load.
Key points
- Travel with load low and mast tilted back.
- Sound horn at blind corners and intersections.
- On ramps, drive up forwards and down backwards.
- Never turn on a ramp.
- Ensure racking or stack is secure before placing loads.