Forklift Safety

The ability of a counterbalance forklift to lift and shift a load effectively and safely relies on a constant maintaining of balance between the weight of that load and the counterweight of the machine itself. The fulcrum (or balance point) on a forklift is where the front wheel touches the ground, similar to the axis of a see-saw. Any weight behind the fulcrum is acting as a counterweight, preventing forward tip when the machine lifts a load. Ensuring this balance allows your forklift to perform with optimal stability, which is essential to a safe operation. This may seem simple but many complex factors are at play – some are as follows:

Stability Triangle
The stability triangle is an imaginary triangle of space beneath the forklift between the two front wheels and the center point of the rear axle. The center of gravity for a forklift is not fixed. It shifts as the machine performs different tasks and is influenced by a number of things including its load and centrifugal forces. As long as the center of gravity remains within its stability triangle, the machine will remain stable itself. The closer it moves towards an edge of that triangle, the more the likelihood of it tipping in that direction increases. The center of gravity of an unloaded forklift sits towards the back of the triangle. When it lifts a load, you get a combined center of gravity which is more central, which is why a properly loaded forklift actually has more lateral stability than an unloaded.

Load Capacity
Refer to our blog post about Interpreting Your Load Rating Plate for more information. All forklifts have a maximum load weight that they are able to adequately counterbalance. This maximum rating often has constraints on mast position, lift height and load center. As these destabilising factors increase, the load capacity that can be effectively balanced will decrease.

Load Centers
The load center is the balance point of a load where it will be evenly balanced whilst sitting horizontally on tynes with one end of the load butting up against the carriage. This is the point around which the weight of the object is evenly distributed. The further from the face horizontally, and the closer it is to end of tynes, the more the capacity decreases to prevent it from tipping forward. This is why the load center distance record on your Load Rating Plate comes into play, particularly when lifting at extended heights. Operators should be aware of this as one of the factors contributing to stability and need to be aware of the affect it is having on their forklift.

Loss of Stability
If these factors exceed specifications, the balance will be compromised and your forklift will lose either its lateral or longitudinal stability. Typical causes of a loss of lateral or sideways stability include uneven distribution of load, turning at speed, operating on an incline or rough terrain and driving with the load raise or shifted. A number of operations can also cause a longitudinal or forwards tip, including aggressive braking and lifting or driving with load at an extended height. However, a forward tip is almost always caused by some form of overloading the forklift. By simply picking up a load that is too heavy for the counterweight to balance against results in the forklift tipping forwards. It is against regulations to add additional weight to the forklift to increase the counterweight. The second most common way to overload a forklift is by lifting a load that is too long or by not having the load against the heel of the forks. The further the load is moved away from the fulcrum the less weight the forklift is able to lift.

Avoiding a Tip
Taking into account all the above information about forklift stability, there are some easy ways to avoid a tip. Operate within the forklifts specifications. Ensure your load is stable and secure by having balance. Transport loads with tynes low and tilted slightly back.

In the event of a Tip
If your forklift starts to roll sideways, you should remain in the machine, brace your hands and feet and lean against the roll over. Trying to jump from the forklift puts you at great risk of being crushed by the overhead guard against the ground. This is why you should wear your seatbelt where / if it is fitted to prevent operator from falling out.

Forklift Attachments

Forklift attachments are used regularly, as without them it would be impossible to move certain loads within a workplace. The main problems are that many people perceive forklift attachments as only being used for unique objects or tasks when in reality, there are forklift attachments that can suit almost any job which will make it faster, safer and a lot less hassle. Operators may be perfectly trained and capable of driving and operating a normal forklift but they must also receive the proper training for the attachment they are operating.

Forklift Attachment Safety

It is important to note that when you use an attachment on a forklift, the load capacity will be reduced and the center of gravity of the forklift will be affected, making it less stable than it would be without the attachment. This is because you are putting weight in front of the fulcrum point (the point or support on which a lever pivots) of the forklift prior to picking up your load. It is therefore necessary to drive the forklift as if it were partially loaded, even prior to picking up the load.

For this reason it is advisable when working with any attachment to travel at a slow speed and make turns slowly and gently. The attachment you are fitting should be listed on the data plate giving you the capacity of the truck. It is extremely important that prior to fitting any attachment you must ensure that you are given the training required to enable you to be competent in the fitting, operating and removal of the attachment. 

For this reason it is advisable when working with any attachment to travel at a slow speed and make turns slowly and gently. The attachment you are fitting should be listed on the data plate giving you the capacity of the truck. It is extremely important that prior to fitting any attachment you must ensure that you are given the training required to enable you to be competent in the fitting, operating and removal of the attachment. 

The following checks must be made before using an attachment on a forklift:

• The attachment must suit the truck you are fitting it to, and must be suitable for the type of load you are lifting
• It must be properly attached to the forklift with a suitable locking device
• The data plate on the truck must allow for the use of the attachment    

The main take away points from attachment safety is that you should always know what your forklift capabilities with an attachment on are, before you begin to operate it and you must have training for the specific attachment before use.