Forklift Awareness Training

1. Purpose
The purpose of this program is to establish requirements for the safe operation and use of Powered Industrial Trucks.

2. Scope
This program applies to all Pulsar Helium employees who operate a Powered Industrial Truck in the scope of their job duties/assignments. NOTE: All employees are required to be trained and certified prior to operating each specific type of forklift equipment. Contact your safety supervisor to schedule training.

3. Definitions
Authorized Employee: Any mechanical device used for the movement of supplies, material or finished a product that is powered by an electric motor or an internal combustion engine.

Forklift (Powered Industrial Truck): Any mechanical device used for the movement of supplies, material or finished a product that is powered by an electric motor or an internal combustion engine.

4. Key Responsibilities

Each box must be checked to serve as proof that you received the following information!
4.1: Manager/Supervisor

Shall ensure that each powered forklift operator is competent to operate a forklift safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation program.Shall ensure that all forklifts are inspected before each shift and all repairs are made before the forklift is operated.
4.2: Employees

Shall be current on applicable training.Operate forklift in accordance to the forklift standards and manufacture requirements.Inspect forklift at the start of shift and remove from service if defects are found until they are corrected.Operate forklift in a safe manner.

5. Procedures

Each box must be checked to serve as proof that you received the following information!
5.1: General

All approved forklifts shall have a manufactures identification plate attached showing all specifications of the forklift and that the forklift is accepted by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.Modifications and additions, that affect capacity and safe operation, shall not be performed without manufacturer’s prior written approval. Capacity, operation, and maintenance instruction plates, tags, or decals shall be changed reflect the modification or addition.If the forklift is equipped with front-end attachments other than factory installed attachments, the supervisor shall ensure that the forklift is marked to identify the attachments and show the approximate weight of the forklift and attachment combination at maximum elevation with load laterally centered.The operator shall see that all nameplates and markings are in place and are maintained in a legible condition.All forklifts shall be equipped with safety seat belts. All forklifts shall be equipped with a horn, backup alarm, beacon light, headlights and taillight.Forklifts shall be fitted with an overhead rollover cage, as per manufacturer's specifications.If the type of load presents a hazard to the operator, the forklift shall be equipped with a vertical load backrest extension, as per manufacturer's specifications.

5.4: Loading

Only stable or safely arranged loads shall be handledCaution shall be exercised when handling off-center loads, which cannot be centeredOnly loads within the rated capacity of the forklift shall be handledForklifts equipped with attachments shall be operated as partially loaded forklifts when not handling a loadA load engaging means shall be placed under the load as far as possible; the mast shall be carefully tilted backward to stabilize the loadExtreme care shall be used when tilting the load forward or backward, particularly when high tieringTilting forward with load engaging means elevated shall be prohibited except to pick up a loadAn elevated load shall not be tilted forward except when the load is in a deposit position over a rack or stackWhen stacking or tiering, only enough backward tilt to stabilize the load shall be used

5.5: Operation of the Truck

If at any time a forklift is found to need repair, defective, or in any way unsafe, the forklift shall be taken out of service until it has been restored to safe operating conditionFuel tanks shall not be filled while the engine is runningSpillage of oil or fuel shall be carefully washed away or completely evaporated and the fuel tank cap replaced before restarting engineWhen fueling with Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), precautions and handling requirements set forth in the “Safe Handling of LPG” program shall be followedNo forklift shall be operated with a leak in the fuel systemOpen flames shall not be used for checking electrolyte level in storage batteries or gasoline level in fuel tanksOperator must verify trailer chocks, supports, and dock plates are secured prior to loading/unloading

6. Requirements for Training

Each box must be checked to serve as proof that you received the following information!
6.1: Training

Training shall consist of a combination of formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, and written material), practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee) and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.All operator training and evaluation shall be conducted by authorized persons who have the knowledge, documented training, and experience to train powered industrial truck operators and evaluate their competence.Each operator is required to be re-evaluated every three years.

1. Purpose