Lifting, Placing, Loading and Unloading Operations
Safe lifting starts with planning: know the load's weight, its centre of gravity, the lifting points and the attachment required, and check the load chart for the configuration. The machine must be level and on firm ground, stabilisers deployed if the chart requires, and the area around and beneath the load clear of people. The operator should approach the load squarely, engage the attachment correctly (forks fully under the load, load against the backrest, heel clear), lift slightly to test stability, then raise and travel only as the chart and manufacturer permit. When placing, lower slowly, check the landing area, and only release the load when it is stable and the area is clear. For loading and unloading, consider the vehicle or trailer's capacity, the ramp angle, the load's security and the risk of the vehicle moving - chock or restrain it. Never lift people on forks; use an approved work platform with the correct controls and restraints.
Question traps: candidates lift a load without confirming its weight, or assume the pallet's label is accurate. They forget that the load's centre of gravity affects stability and that a load extending forward reduces capacity. Another trap is placing a load where people are working below, or travelling with a raised load. Lifting people on forks is a common exam trap - it is prohibited; only an approved integrated platform may be used, with the machine's controls isolated as required.
Worked example: a pallet marked 1,200 kg but with an unknown heavy item at the front - the effective radius is greater than the pallet's centre suggests. Weigh or verify before lifting; if you cannot, treat it as heavier than marked.
Rule of thumb: know the weight, know the chart, keep people clear, and never lift people on forks.