| As a forklift driver, your chances of gaining | | | | An easy way to explain is to think about when you |
| employment are improved. Employers, employment | | | | are in a car and you approach a set of traffic lights |
| agencies, jobs online show opportunities are increasing. | | | | and they turn to red, you brake and the momentum |
| With an increase in local jobs, warehouse jobs and | | | | pulls you forward - same with the forklift. |
| factory jobs, chances are you will be in demand if you | | | | If you go round a corner too fast, the forklift combined |
| can operate a forklift. | | | | centre of gravity does the same, by moving out |
| Part of all Training courses should have a section on | | | | suddenly - if it goes outside the triangle the forklift tips |
| Safe Operation of a Forklift including Stability | | | | over! If the centre of gravity shifts outside the stability |
| The stability of the forklift is maintained at all times by | | | | triangle, the forklift will tip over, this can be caused by: |
| the experienced and competent operator but how is | | | | Lateral (sideways) Instability |
| this done? | | | | Turn on ramps. |
| The forklift is basically like a child's see saw, the load | | | | Speed on corners. |
| that is picked up is counterbalanced by a counter | | | | Brake too hard on corner. |
| weight at the other side. If the load is too heavy for | | | | Turn with raised loads. |
| the counter weight then it will pivot at the fulcrum (the | | | | Operate with a flat tyre. |
| forklift will tip over forwards). Careful consideration | | | | Side shift not returned to centred. |
| must be taken to get the load as near to the fulcrum | | | | Longitudinal (forwards) Instability |
| as possible as any gap here will be exaggerated and | | | | Travelling on a slope the wrong way. |
| the forklift will not be able to pick up as much. | | | | Forward tilt used incorrectly at height. |
| All the weight behind the fulcrum including the driver is | | | | Overloading the forklift. |
| acting as the counterweight. | | | | The load not being against the heel of the forks. |
| Within the Forklift there is an imaginary triangle formed | | | | Heavy braking. |
| between front two wheels and a points on the back | | | | What to do if the forklift is going to tip over? |
| axle and this is called the Stability Triangle. The forklift | | | | Do not jump out, stay in the cab |
| truck will not tip over as long as the centre of gravity | | | | Brace yourself |
| remains inside the triangle. The combined centre of | | | | Hold on tight |
| gravity that is made when a load is picked up is free | | | | Lean away from the point of impact |
| to move around. The operator has to keep it within the | | | | This is why the seat belt is so important to use, it is |
| confines of the triangle or the forklift will tip over. | | | | there to keep you in the cab! |