Forklifts, which are used for transporting or stacking weights of various sizes from one place to another, belong to the class of lifting and conveying equipment and have many different types according to the weights and places where they can be lifted and lowered. For example, they can be classified as gasoline, diesel, LPG cylinder gas or electric forklifts depending on the type of fuel they use. In confined warehouses and narrow spaces, manually operated forklift models are generally preferred.
Forklifts provide quickness and convenience in stacking loads, but the most important thing is that they enable enterprises to use the storage areas more smoothly and efficiently.
The use of forklifts increased with industrialization movements. Handling, stacking and placing on weights, which cannot be carried out by manpower, is carried out quickly and safely thanks to forklifts. However, as with other lifting and handling equipment, forklifts must be used by persons who have the expertise and competence to operate such machinery. Failure to do so will inevitably lead to various occupational accidents, endangering the health of employees or causing material damage to the enterprise.
Forklifts are mostly used in factories, warehouses, large markets and ports. Forklifts should only be transported somewhere on large trucks or lorries as they are not likely to be in traffic.
In order to use the forklifts safely, it is also important to take certain precautions and to observe the rules. Normally, it should be checked by authorized persons every three months. No one other than the operator should ride on the truck. There must be no people under or above the forks while they are working. Adequate lighting should be provided when using indoors. The specified speed limit must not be exceeded. Sudden maneuvers, take-offs and stops must not be performed. In short, the rules specified for the use of forklifts must not be exceeded. All these precautions are necessary for a healthy and safe use.
Control and Inspection Principles of Forklifts
There are forklift trucks that can handle up to 80 tonnes, as well as manual operation. In order to avoid any health and safety problems during their work, regular inspections and examinations are required. The responsibilities of employers are explained in the Regulation on Health and Safety Conditions in the Use of Work Equipment. Due to their quickness and mobility, it is a legal obligation to carry out regular inspections of forklifts, which are very important stacking vehicles for businesses, against the risk of accidents. If the forklifts are leased from a company, this responsibility also applies to the leasing company.
According to the regulation, forklifts must be inspected at least once a year unless another time is specified in the relevant standards. The basic standards taken into consideration during the work of the inspection and test institutions are as follows:
- TS 10689 Stability stackers and pallet stackers
- TS EN 1757-2 Safety in industrial vehicles - Pedestrian controlled vehicles - Part 2: Pallet transporters
- TS 10201 ISO 3184 Stackers - Transportation and pedestal type - Stability tests
- TS ISO 6055 High-lift pallet stackers - Overhead protectors - Feature and experiment
- TS ISO 1074 Counterbalanced forklifts - Stability tests
- FEM 4.004 standard
Inspections and inspections must be carried out by authorized persons such as mechanical engineers, machine technicians or high technicians. Otherwise, both the inspection procedures and the reports to be issued have no validity.
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