Manoeuvring, Travelling, Parking and Site Traffic Management
Travelling safely
Before moving, ensure the load is secure, the way is clear, and you have checked mirrors and surroundings. Travel at a speed that allows you to stop safely, keep a safe distance from other vehicles, and obey site speed limits and one-way systems. On slopes, travel with the load uphill where possible for a laden counterbalance truck (forks pointing uphill), and avoid turning on slopes. Keep the forks low and tilted back. Use the horn at blind corners and doorways where required.
Manoeuvring and visibility
Use mirrors and, where fitted, cameras. Reversing should be minimised; where necessary, reverse slowly, look in the direction of travel, and use a spotter for blind reverses. Never carry passengers. Be aware of overhead obstructions, doorways and the tail swing of the truck.
Parking
Park in a designated area, on level ground, with the forks lowered flat to the floor, mast tilted slightly forward, controls neutral, parking brake applied, and the key removed or the truck isolated as site rules require. Do not park blocking fire exits, walkways or traffic routes, and do not leave a truck on a slope unless it is chocked and secured.
Traffic management
Site traffic management covers routes, crossings, speed limits, parking, pedestrian segregation and signage. Operators must follow it and report hazards such as poor lighting, damaged barriers or obstructed routes.
Traps
Expect questions on slope travel direction (laden counterbalance: load uphill), on parking with forks raised (wrong), and on leaving keys in an unattended truck (wrong).
Rule of thumb
"Low forks, level ground, brake on, key out" for parking.
Incidents, Emergencies and Accident Reporting
When things go wrong
Know the immediate actions after an incident: stop, make the area safe, give first aid and call for help, raise the alarm for fire, and do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger. Report the incident to the supervisor and record it in the accident book. Preserve the scene where possible and do not move equipment until it is safe and authorised.
Reporting
Understand the difference between internal reporting (accident book, supervisor, defect log) and external reporting under RIDDOR (reportable injuries, dangerous occurrences, certain diseases). Near misses should also be reported - they are free lessons that prevent future incidents. Defects found after an incident must be recorded and the truck withdrawn from service.
Emergencies
Know the site's emergency arrangements: fire points, extinguisher locations and types, assembly points, first-aid arrangements and spill response. For a fire involving an electric truck or battery, isolate power where safe and use the appropriate extinguisher; for fuel or oil spills, stop the source, contain with spill kit, and prevent it reaching drains.
Traps
Common traps: assuming only injuries need reporting (near misses and dangerous occurrences matter too); moving an injured person as a first instinct; and continuing to operate a truck involved in an incident before it has been checked.
Rule of thumb
"Make safe, help, report, record" - in that order, and never move an injured casualty unless they are in immediate danger.