Forklift Safety, Operating a Tow motor

Forklift Safety,

Lift Truck Training

Legal Considerations for Operating a Forklift

Both the OHS Act and the Regulation 851 have provisions that relate to work involving powered lift trucks, but neither mention them specifically.

Clause 25(1)(b) of the OHS Act refers to an employer's duty to provide "equipment" that is in good condition.

Clauses 25(2)(a), (c) and (d) deal generally with worker training and supervision. And clause 25(2)(h) is the most general duty of all, requiring an employer to;

”take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker".

ØSubsections 51(1) and (2) of Regulation 851 are more specific with provisions that apply to a "lifting device", defined as,

A device that is used to raise or lower any material or object and includes its rails and other supports but does not include a device to which the Elevating Devices Act applies.

This definition clearly applies to powered lift trucks and should be interpreted broadly as including not just the elevating section of a truck but the entire vehicle.

Compliance will require attention in the following areas:

General safety inspection and maintenance
üAssessment of load-handling capacity
üInspection frequency
üOperator competence
Operating procedures
Recordkeeping
Training

Clause 25(2)(a) of the OHS Act places an obligation on an employer to "provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker to protect the health or safety of the worker".

Regulation 851 is more specific and states that a lifting device is only to be operated by a competent person. "Competent person" is defined by the OHS Act as someone who:

is qualified because of his knowledge, training, and experience to organize the work and its performance,

is familiar with the provisions of this Act and the regulations that apply to the work, and

has knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health or safety in the workplace.

A "competent" operator should be able to perform, the following procedures in a manner consistent with established competence standards:

Pre-operational check.
General operation: stopping, starting, turning, driving forward and in reverse, parking, operating around personnel.
Load handling: selection and security of loads, pick-up and placement.
Stacking, personnel lifting.
Loading and unloading transport vehicles.
Refuelling.
Other procedures relevant to your situation.