THE SAFE USE OF FORK LIFT TRUCKS ONBOARD SHIP

Forklift trucks are invaluable on board ship for moving cargo, lashings, securing devices, trestle horses, machinery, ship's stores, garbage or dunnage. But they can be dangerous - even fatal - to drivers and personnel in their vicinity, if not driven safely or maintained correctly.

They can also cause serious damage to equipment and property. The most common accidents from forklift trucks happen when the truck turns over, the driver falls from the truck, passengers fall off, a person is in the vicinity of a forklift truck and is not seen by the driver, or the driver travels too high, too fast or too light. The accidents involving forklift trucks mainly occur because the established safe operating procedures are not adequate or not enforced properly; it may also happen that there is some complacency since the procedure is automated. In addition to that, drivers are sometimes not trained enough to operate the machine, or they may be under significant pressure.

This booklet is mainly aimed at operators of these trucks and may be used as a refresher to familiarize them with the equipment. It will also be helpful for crew members who may appear in the vicinity of the area where forklift operations take place. The booklet shall be used together with the video training lesson.