When placing loads or picking them up, a common practice is to attempt this simple function when the forklift forks are not flat. The tilt function lever is arguably the most important lever. Forklift lift trucks are designed to pick up loads and place them as opposed to pushing, pulling or sliding objects. Using them for any other purpose is contrary to their designed use and can cause major incidents including injury, damage to property or even death.

When being assessed by a WorkSafe Assessor to receive a LF forklift truck licence, one of the many requirements is that the operator demonstrates the ability to make sure the forks do not touch the load being picked up. In other words there should be no scrapping against the pallet, no pushing or pulling of the load due to the forks no being in the flat position. Before lifting, the only time the forks should touch the load is when the heel touches the load.

The only way to ensure the forks are flat is to adjust the mast to the vertical position before attempting to pick up objects. This is the case whether those object be at floor level, on a truck bed, on a loading dock, on pallet racking, in fact, on every occasion. Due to the driver’s perspective when viewing the mast from the driver position, it can be difficult to know precisely when the mast is vertical. Often it is possible for the driver to identify a marker or other point of reference helping them to know when the mast is in the vertical position. This is not always easy or possible due to the machine design.

For a number of years, Toyota forklift trucks have included a standard feature on their machines called Automatic Fork-leveling Control. This control give the operator the ability to stop the forks at the level position (mast vertical) thus removing the guess work resulting in safer and more efficient forklift operation. You can see this function being used on the video link below (3:13) as well as other safety features by Toyota, such as their System of Active Stability (SAS)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYQyiDm8f5A

Operator safety and security can be greatly improved simply by ensuring the mast is vertical before picking up or placing loads.

Onsite Forklift Licencing promote safe driving through comprehensive training methods and instruction. 

Gil Deane.