BMF Mobile Plant Handbook

Mobile Plant Operators’ Handbook

Issue 02 October 2013 MF569

Introduction Introduction This Handbook is for our employees who operate our forklift trucks and other mobile plant to help minimise the risks of operator error. Please study the handbook frequently so that you do not fall into bad habits or make mistakes.

As a company we pride ourselves in the care we show both our customers and also the public at large. We are confident that we can count on your co-operation. By being safety conscious at all times you will be doing your share towards helping to build a safety record of which we can all be proud.

In Short Introduction

Only operate mobile plant if you are trained and authorised to do so. Before using the equipment ensure a daily check has been completed. When using the equipment wear proper protective work wear follow the good operational practices set out in this Guide.

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Mobile Plant Operators’ Handbook

Contents Before you start ................................................................................................................................. 4 Persons authorised to operate items of mobile plant .......................................................................... 4 Seatbelts............................................................................................................................................ 4 Alcohol, drug abuse............................................................................................................................ 4 Legal responsibilities........................................................................................................................... 4 Care of equipment.............................................................................................................................. 4

Contents

Operator/driver safety......................................................................................................................... 4 Courtesy............................................................................................................................................. 4 Do’s and Don’ts of using mobile plant.............................................................................................. 5-8 Confirmation of Understanding........................................................................................................... 9 Operators’ Checklist......................................................................................................................... 11

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Before you start As for all other builders merchants, our fork lift trucks and other mobile plant are indispensable pieces of equipment. The equipment is safe if operated properly but accidents can occur and national figures show the cause is usually operator error. A careful and efficient operator/driver of mobile plant should be guided by simple and fundamental rules of safety.

You should therefore take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of others as well as your own and should avoid careless operating habits, which cause risks to health and safety or damage to equipment.

Persons authorised to operate items of mobile plant Only operators/drivers who are over 18 years of age and have been trained to company standards and have been issued with a Company or Company Approved Training Company Permit are allowed to operate/drive items of mobile plant. The Permit must be appropriate to the item of plant being operated/driven.

You will be expected to take refresher training on a regular basis.

Seatbelts Seatbelts must be used (where fitted) while operating/driving items of mobile plant.

Alcohol, drug abuse Operating/driving an item of mobile plant while under the influence of alcohol or any drugs or narcotics is strictly prohibited and subject to disciplinary action.

Legal responsibilities Operator/drivers are legally responsible for their actions in the yard or on the public highway (if the item if plant being used is registered for use on the public highway) and for their compliance with all internal and road traffic regulations. Operators/drivers are responsible for reporting all defects on mobile plant being used/driven.

Care of equipment Operators/drivers must carry out a daily check of the equipment being operated/driven.

This check must be carried out using the Mobile Plant Daily Check and Defect Report. This check sheet must be completed, signed and dated. An example of a daily check list is shown in the Appendix at the end of this handbook.

Operators/drivers must never assume anyone else has checked the item of plant. Any defects or damage, however caused, must be notified to your Branch Manager.

Operator/driver safety For your safety you must always use company issued Personal Protective Equipment, a list of this is available from your manager.

Courtesy Show courtesy to others while driving and display good manners at all times even if provoked.

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Mobile Plant Operators’ Handbook

Do’s and Don’ts Do’s and Don’ts of using mobile plant • Take pride in the safety and functional reliability of the equipment you are operating/ driving • Carry out a daily defect check • Face the equipment when mounting or dismounting from the cab and use the steps and handles provided • Ensure there is no approaching traffic before carefully dismounting the mobile plant • Take care when operating/driving, observe all pedestrians and traffic movements in the yard • Allow sufficient space for operation in the workplace. Ensure loads are not wider than gangways • Carry loads as near to the ground as practicable • Always face in the direction of travel • If bulk loads obscure forward vision only then drive in reverse. However, the load should always lead when travelling up inclines • Drive at speeds consistent with site speed limits and conditions, slow down for wet, slippery or loose surfaces.

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Do’s and Don’ts Do: • Cross kerbs, rail tracks etc diagonally • Ensure that any place where a load is set down is strong enough to accommodate the weight of the load • When approaching blind areas such as crossings, doors etc slow down. Sound the horn and when vision is obstructed keep well to the correct side

• Take care when placing loads on racking. The load being placed or the forks could, if you are not careful, push the goods off the 2nd row of racking • When the truck is travelling without a load the forks should be about 150mm (6ins) above the ground • Be prepared in case of fire and know where the fire extinguishers are • Before leaving the truck ensure that the brakes are applied, controls are at neutral, the forks are fully lowered and the power is shut off • If you are not confident in any respects regarding the use, control or operation of mobile plant, please alert your manager so that alternative training can be provided 6

Mobile Plant Operators’ Handbook

Do’s and Don’ts Don’t: • Assume that others know what you are doing or where you are going. Always observe the principles of the Highway Code. Do not expect pedestrians to treat gangways and aisles like main roads where traffic has right of way • Do not jump off the mobile plant • Pick up loads by defective or damaged pallets, don’t pick up loads that are insecure or unsafe • Carry divisible loads that are higher than the fork carriage or load backrest. (i.e. two or more pallets, two or more packs of plasterboard etc) • Do not run over loose objects. (Stop the truck, remove objects to the side) • Let unauthorised persons to drive or allow passengers ride on the mobile plant • Make fast starts, jerky stops and quick turns. Particularly when materials are being stacked at heights • Let your body go outside the confines of the mobile plant. Only when signalling a turn or other manoeuvring should the arm or hand be allowed to extend outside the limits of the plant body or cab • Allow anyone to stand or walk under the elevated forks or load • Allow an engine-powered truck to remain stationary for long periods with the engine running. The build-up of fumes and gases, particularly in confined areas can be unpleasant and very dangerous.

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Do’s and Don’ts Don’t: • Attempt to repair faults yourself - they should be left to a qualified maintenance person • Leave the keys in the truck when it is not being used • Attempt to handle loads that exceed the actual capacity of the truck • Attempt to handle one load using two trucks.

Remember mobile plant can be dangerous if not treated with respect, operated correctly and driven with due care and attention.

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Mobile Plant Operators’ Handbook

Confirmation of Understanding OPERATORS’ COPY I confirm that I have carried out all the checks listed overleaf and that any defects have been brought to the attention of my Manager/Supervisor

Operative’s signature:

Action(s) taken:

Date:

Manager/Supervisor/Repair Agent signature:

FILE COPY I confirm that I have carried out all the checks listed overleaf and that any defects have been brought to the attention of my Manager/Supervisor

Operative’s signature:

Action(s) taken:

Date:

Manager/Supervisor/Repair Agent signature:

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Operators’ Checklist Operators’ Checklist Forklift Truck & Mobile Plant Daily checklist and defect report Driver’s Name Date Branch Vehicle Type Speedo/Hour Reading

Items to be Checked at the start of each day

✓= O.K. ✗ = Defect Diesel / Gas Electric



 12. Hydraulic Controls Lift and Tilt

1. Engine Oil level - check and fill as necessary

 2.

Radiator Coolant level - check and fill as necessary

 3.

Fuel / Gas level - fill as necessary

 4.

Gas Cylinder System - check for leaks

 5.

Battery Charge Indicator

 6.

Hydraulic Oil level

 7.

Horn, Lights, Wipers

 8.

Flashing Beacon

 9.

Reversing Alarm

 10. Brake Pedal operation  11. Park Brake operation

 13. Wheel Nuts - check for tightness 

14. Tyres - check for cuts, wear and correct inflation

 15. Seat Belt & Seat condition 

16. Forks, Buckets, Attachments condition

 17. Steering 

18. Battery Distilled Water Level (do not

overfill; wear safety glasses/gloves)



19. Battery Charger, Plugs, Meters, Switches



20. Bodywork and Chassis - check for damage



21. Grease nipples lubricated (weekly

use - supplied equipment)

If there are any faults, notify your manager. Do not use machinery if it is not working properly.

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1180 Elliott Court, Coventry Business Park Herald Avenue, Coventry CV5 6UB Tel: 02476 854980 Fax: 02476 854981 Email: info@bmf.org.uk www.bmf.org.uk