UK CPCS Forklift Theory Exam flashcards

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

Employer's general duty

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of employees and others affected by their work.

LOLER

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 require lifting equipment to be strong, stable, marked with its safe working load, and thoroughly examined at statutory intervals.

PUWER

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 require work equipment to be suitable, maintained, inspected, and used only by trained and authorised people.

Thorough examination intervals

Under LOLER, equipment lifting people or using lifting accessories is examined every 6 months; other lifting equipment every 12 months, unless the examination scheme states otherwise.

RIDDOR

The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 require employers to report specified workplace deaths, injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences to the enforcing authority.

Environmental spill duty

Fuel, oil and battery acid must be contained with spill kits and never allowed to reach drains or watercourses; waste oil and batteries are hazardous waste requiring licensed disposal.

Operator authorisation

An operator must be trained, competent and specifically authorised in writing by the employer for each type of forklift truck they operate.

Pre-use defect duty

If a pre-use inspection reveals a defect, the operator must report it, record it, and take the truck out of service until it is repaired and re-checked.

Passenger rule

An operator must never carry passengers on a forklift unless the truck is designed and fitted with a suitable passenger seat.

Seat belt use

Where a seat belt is fitted, it must be worn whenever the truck is moving, unless a documented risk assessment justifies an exception.

Operator fitness

Operators must not operate a forklift while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication that impairs judgement, reaction or alertness.

Safe system of work

A documented method of working that identifies hazards, sets out controls, and defines the safe sequence of operations for a task.

Pedestrian priority

In designated pedestrian areas, the operator must slow down, make eye contact and receive acknowledgement before passing, giving way to pedestrians.

Banksman role

A trained signaller used to guide the operator where visibility is restricted or manoeuvring space is tight; the operator stops if the banksman is not visible.

Correct parking procedure

Park on level ground with forks flat on the floor, mast tilted forward, parking brake applied, controls neutralised and the key removed.

Counterbalance truck

A truck that lifts the load outside the wheelbase and relies on a heavy rear counterweight to maintain stability; the load acts as a lever on the front axle.

Reach truck

A truck whose mast moves forward to place the load inside the wheelbase, giving better stability and allowing operation in narrower aisles.

Fork heel wear limit

Fork thickness at the heel must not be reduced by more than 10 percent of the original dimension; worn forks must be replaced.

Mast chain check

Chains should be checked for even tension on both sides, plus wear, corrosion and damage; loose or stretched chains require the truck to be taken out of service.

Battery charging safety

Charging areas must be ventilated to disperse hydrogen; no smoking or naked flames, and eyewash and spill kits must be available.

Stability triangle

The area bounded by the two front wheels and the steer axle pivot; stability is maintained while the combined centre of gravity of truck and load stays inside it.

Load moment

Load weight multiplied by the distance from the front wheel to the load centre; the rated capacity falls as the load centre distance increases.

Rated capacity plate

A plate stating the truck's safe working load at a stated load centre (usually 500 or 600 mm) and lift height; it must never be exceeded.

Attachment capacity reduction

Fitting an attachment such as a clamp or rotator reduces rated capacity because the attachment's own weight and increased load centre must be deducted.

Travelling with a load

Carry the load low, typically 100 to 150 mm above the floor, with the mast tilted back; never travel with the load raised.

Reverse travel rule

If the load obstructs forward vision, travel in reverse, looking in the direction of travel, except when travelling up a gradient with a load.

Turning and stability

Reduce speed before turning; a laden truck turning at speed can tip sideways as the centre of gravity moves outside the stability triangle.

Gradient travel rule

Drive straight up and down gradients, never across or turning on a slope, keeping the load on the uphill side; gradients are typically limited to about 10 percent.

Unattended truck rule

When leaving the truck unattended, even briefly, lower the forks, apply the parking brake, neutralise controls, isolate the power source and remove the key.

Tip-over response

In a counterbalance tip-over, stay in the seat with the belt fastened, hold on, brace and lean away from the fall; do not jump out.

Fire response

Raise the alarm, switch off the ignition, use a CO2 or dry powder extinguisher for electrical or fuel fires, and evacuate to the assembly point.

Near miss reporting

Near misses must be reported and investigated because they are leading indicators that often precede serious incidents and reveal root causes.