FORKLIFT, HEALTH & SAFETY (OHS CODE)-02

Visual inspection

Forklift operators must complete a visual inspection of a powered forklift and the surrounding area to ensure that the forklift is in safe operating condition and that no worker, including the operator, is endangered when the forklift is started up (OHS CODE, SECTION 257)

Equipment inspection

Employers must ensure thet powered forklift are inspected by a competent worker for defects and conditions that are hazardous or may create a hazard. If an inspection indicates that a forklift is hazardous or potentially hazardous, an employer must ensure that the health and safety of a wroker who may be exposed to the hazard is protected immediately and the forklift is not operated until the defect is repaired or the condition is corrected. Alternatively, if the forklift is potentially hazardous but can be operated safely temporarily, an employer must ensure that the operator is made aware of the potential hazard and the defect or condition is repaired as soon as reasonably practicable (OHS CODE, SECTION 260)

Unattended controls

Workers operating a powered forklift must not leave the controls of the forklift unattended unless the forklift is secured against unintentional movement by an effective method of immobilizing the forklift (OHS CODE, SECTION 263)

Lighting

Employers must ensure that powered forklifts used in poorly lit areas are equipped with lighting that illuminates the working area around the forklift as well as the forklift's control panel (OHS CODE, SECTION 264)