Prohibited practices
Employers and trained forklift truck operators should be aware of prohibited practices. It is the responsibility of everyone in the workplace to ensure that these practices do not occur.
- A forklift truck must not be used as a towing or push device, unless appropriate attachments are fitted.
- A tow rope must never be attached to the mast to pull or drag loads.
- Unless of an authorised design, fork extensions should not be fitted.
- A person should not push on the point of one or both forks. Nor should a person stand or walk under the elevated forks, even when a load is not being carried.
- The back-rest extension and overhead guard of the forklift truck should not be removed, unless specifically authorised.
- A forklift truck should not be left stationary, with the engine running, in confined spaces.
- A forklift truck must not be parked or stacked on an incline, or operated on gradients with the load elevated more than necessary.
- A passenger must never be carried on the forks or load.
- An operator's arms, hands, legs and head must not leave the confines of the cab or be placed between the uprights of the mast.
- A forklift should not cross railway lines, unless the lines are recessed into the surface; or be driven over a bridge plate, unless it is securely fixed and can support the total weight.
- There must be a strictly enforced no smoking policy in a refuelling or battery charging area.
- Naked flames should not be used when checking the level of electrolyte in battery cells.
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