Forklift Operations and Traffic Management Procedure

Purpose. This procedure sets the rules for operating forklifts, order pickers and reach stackers and for separating powered mobile plant from pedestrians at every site.

1.Authorisation to operate

Only workers who hold the relevant high risk work licence, have completed the Corridor verification of competency for the specific machine, and are listed on the training matrix will operate powered mobile plant. New operators will be supervised for their first five shifts.

2.Pre-start inspection

The operator must complete the pre-start checklist on the machine's tablet before the first use each shift. Any defect that affects brakes, steering, hydraulics, the seat belt, lights, horn or the load backrest must be reported and the machine tagged out until repaired. The inspection must be recorded in the fleet register.

3.Traffic management

Each site has a traffic management plan showing exclusion zones, pedestrian walkways, forklift lanes and dock approach rules. Pedestrians must stay on marked walkways and must not enter a forklift operating zone without eye contact and a stop signal from the operator. Speed inside the warehouse is limited to walking pace in aisles and eight kilometres per hour in the main lanes.

• Seat belts on at all times
• Horn at every aisle end and blind corner
• Forks lowered and tilted back when travelling
• No passengers and no lifting people
• Reverse when the load blocks forward vision

4.Load handling

Operators must check the load rating plate and must not lift loads above the rated capacity for the mast height. Pallets must be checked for damage before lifting. Loads must not be raised over people, and racking bays must not be loaded above the marked weight limit.

5.Refuelling and charging

Battery charging must take place only in the designated charging bay with the extraction fan running. Gas bottles must be changed only by trained operators wearing gloves and eye protection, with the machine switched off.

6.Incidents

Any collision, tip-over, dropped load, racking strike or near miss involving powered mobile plant must be reported in the incident register before the end of shift. The machine will be stood down until it has been inspected.