Forklift Safety – Traveling on Inclines
Every year forklift operators are injured or killed due to a tipover on a ramp or incline. Forklift operators should follow certain general rules of the road when traveling on ramps and other inclines in order to avoid the hazards of a tipover and losing the load.
Follow these Precautions to Minimize the Risk While Traveling on Inclines:
When traveling with a load, the load should point up the incline, regardless of direction of travel.
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Going up the incline:
o Driveforward;
o Forks pointed upgrade; and
o Use a spotter if the load blocks the driver’s view.
- Going down the incline:
o Drive in reverse;
o Turn head and face downgrade;
o Forks pointed up the grade; and
o Always look in the direction of travel.
When traveling without a load, the forks should point downgrade, regardless of direction of travel.
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Never drive with the load downgrade.
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Going up the incline:
o Drive in reverse;
o Turn head and face upgrade; and
o Forks pointed downgrade.
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Going down the incline:
o Drive forward; and
o Forks pointed downgrade.
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Never turn a forklift on a grade, a ramp, or incline. Turn prior to the ramp or incline to place the forks in the proper direction.
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Keep a safe distance from the edge of a ramp.
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Do not travel on ramps with slopes or other conditions that exceed the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- When walking with a pallet truck with or without a load, the forks should be pointed downgrade, regardless of direction of travel.
Traveling with a load. Note that ramps should have railing or bull rails.
Traveling up ramp with load.
Traveling down ramp with a load.
Traveling without a load. Note that ramps should have railing or bull rails.
Traveling down ramp without load.
Have another day -‐ by being safe today!
Download flyer: SMOTW_34_ForkliftSafety-TravelingonInclines.pdf (250.99 kb)
