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Forklift Operator overview

Forklift study guide: key rules on all 12 topics

Free Forklift Operator study guide: 211 key points from the Guideline for the Safe Operation and Maintenance of Powered Lift Trucks (Ontario) in plain words, organised by topic, each topic linked to its practice questions.

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This study guide collects our notes on every topic of the Forklift (Lift Truck) Operator Theory Test — Canada on one page: 211 short points in our own words, grouped by topic and by handbook section. Read it from top to bottom before your first practice test, or jump to a topic from the list below.

Each topic ends with a link to its practice questions, so you can check what you just read straight away, and a link to the official chapter for the full wording. The notes summarise the Guideline for the Safe Operation and Maintenance of Powered Lift Trucks (Ontario) from the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development — Guideline for the Safe Operation and Maintenance of Powered Lift Trucks; they do not replace it, and where our notes and the official source differ, the official source wins.

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Operator competence and the law

Who may drive a lift truck, what a competent person is, employer and worker duties, the right to refuse unsafe work, training records and retraining.

Practise Operator competence and the law questionsFlashcardsOfficial chapter

definitions and duties

  • A "competent person" has the knowledge, training and experience to organize the work, knows the law that applies to the work, and knows the actual or potential dangers in the workplace (OHSA s. 1).
  • Employers must keep equipment in good condition (s. 25(1)(b)), give workers information, instruction and supervision (s. 25(2)(a)), appoint competent supervisors (s. 25(2)(c)), tell workers about hazards (s. 25(2)(d)), and take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances (s. 25(2)(h)).
  • Workers must follow the law, use the protective equipment the employer requires, and report missing or defective equipment and any hazard to the employer or supervisor (s. 28(1)).
  • Workers must not remove protective devices, must not operate equipment in a way that endangers anyone, and must not engage in pranks, contests or rough conduct (s. 28(2)).
  • A worker may refuse work they believe is likely to endanger them, for example unsafe equipment; they report it to the supervisor or employer, who investigates with a worker representative present, and the worker stays in a safe place nearby (s. 43).
  • If the worker still has reasonable grounds after the investigation, an inspector is notified and decides in writing.

who may operate

  • A lifting device (which includes a lift truck) may be operated only by a competent person, or by a worker being instructed who is accompanied by a competent person (s. 51(2)(a)).
  • Mobile equipment must be operated only by a competent person, except a worker being instructed and accompanied by a competent person (s. 54).
  • Neither the Act nor Reg. 851 names lift trucks; the general lifting device and mobile equipment rules apply to them.

Competency

  • It is the employer's responsibility to establish that a worker is competent to operate a lift truck.
  • A competent operator understands the law that applies, the hazards of the work, the manufacturer's specifications for the truck class, and the workplace's own safety procedures.
  • The operator should show the skills (pre-operational check, start-up and shut-down, driving, load handling, loading and unloading, refuelling or recharging) to someone with expert knowledge of lift trucks, on the truck they will use.
  • Employers should keep a record of competent operators: the skills shown, the truck class(es) assessed, the assessor's name and affiliation, and the date. Employers may issue certificates to identify competent operators.
  • Training alone will not stop accidents; it should be part of a wider lift truck safety program with hazard identification, supervision, operating procedures, maintenance, facility design and truck selection.
  • Workers who work near lift trucks (pedestrians) also need to be told the hazards and the rules.
  • CSA standard B335 (Safety standard for lift trucks) is a paid standard that can be used to design or evaluate training.

Other provinces

  • British Columbia: operator training for lift trucks must meet Clause 6 of CSA B335-15 (WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation s. 16.43(2)).
  • Manitoba Code of Practice: operators should receive retraining at intervals not exceeding three years; a worker whose medical condition affects safe operation should not be assigned to drive.
  • CCOHS: some jurisdictions set a minimum operator age (for example 18); check your province's rules.

Truck classes and the capacity plate

The seven lift truck classes, what the capacity (data) plate tells you, load charts, attachments and what happens to the rating when a truck is modified.

Practise Truck classes and the capacity plate questionsFlashcardsOfficial chapter

Appendix II (Industrial Truck Association classes)

  • Class 1: electric motor rider trucks (counterbalanced, sit-down or stand-up).
  • Class 2: electric motor narrow-aisle trucks (order pickers, reach trucks, turret trucks, side loaders).
  • Class 3: electric motor hand trucks (walkie pallet trucks and other pedestrian-controlled units).
  • Class 4: internal combustion engine trucks with cushion (solid) tires.
  • Class 5: internal combustion engine trucks with pneumatic tires.
  • Class 6: electric and internal combustion tow tractors.
  • Class 7: rough terrain lift trucks.
  • Class 8 in the ITA list covers personnel and burden carriers; Manitoba's code covers Classes 1 to 7.
  • A competent operator is assessed on, and should operate, only the class or classes of truck they were trained and assessed on.

Capacity (data) plate and load chart

  • The capacity plate shows the model and serial number, the rated capacity at a given load centre and lift height, the maximum fork or attachment height, the truck weight and, on electric trucks, the minimum battery weight.
  • Reg. 851 s. 51(1)(c): a lifting device must be plainly marked so the operator can tell the maximum rated load under any operating condition.
  • Reg. 851 s. 59: material handling equipment must not be loaded beyond its maximum rated load, except during a test.
  • Every truck should display the maximum rated load and how the safe load changes with reach; if the truck is modified, the information must be revised to the new rating.
  • Modifications or additions that affect capacity or safe operation need the written approval of the manufacturer or a qualified professional engineer, and the plates and decals must be changed (Manitoba Code of Practice s. 4.2).
  • An operator should not use a lift truck that has no capacity rating information (CCOHS).
  • Attachments (for example a carpet spike or drum grab) change what the truck can safely carry; use the proper attachment for special loads.
  • The capacity of the forks themselves also matters; overloading can bend and weaken forks.

Selecting the right truck

  • Truck choice should match the load, the terrain, the atmosphere and the building design.
  • Gas, propane or diesel trucks should not be used where explosive dust, gas or vapour may be present, or where exhaust can build up and cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Trucks should have an overhead guard or screen where material could fall, warning devices and lights suited to the workplace, and a seat belt or operator restraint where feasible.

Stability, load centre and tip-overs

Why a raised load makes the truck less stable, how speed, turns, grades and load position affect stability, counterweights, and what to do if the truck tips.

Practise Stability, load centre and tip-overs questionsFlashcardsOfficial chapter

Appendix III(a), features of the lift truck

  • A competent operator understands the stability triangle and trapezoid, load centres, the centre of gravity of the load and of the truck, and longitudinal (front-to-back) and lateral (side-to-side) stability.
  • Stability is affected by speed, acceleration, sharp cornering, lift height, attachments, grades and ramps, and how secure the load is.
  • Operators must know the truck's blind spots and the counterbalance, tilt and reach principles.

Load Handling and Maintaining Truck Control

  • A lift truck is less stable when the load is raised.
  • Position the load at the recommended load centre and keep it close to the front wheels.
  • If a load is heavier at one end, put the heavier end closer to the front wheels and tilt the mast back.
  • Never add extra weight to the counterweight to make up for an overload; overloading can also cause loss of steering control.
  • Do not turn the steering wheel sharply at speed.
  • Travel with the forks low (about 10–15 cm or 4–6 in above the floor) and tilted back.
  • Avoid sudden stops; an unsecured load can slide off the forks.
  • Do not elevate a load when the truck is on an incline.

Tip-over response

  • The guideline lists jumping from the truck during a tip-over as a dangerous act.
  • CCOHS: stay in the truck if it overturns, and wear the seat belt or operator restraint whenever the truck has one.
  • Keep hands, arms, head and legs inside the operator compartment at all times.

Pre-use (circle) checks

The visual walk-around and the operational check with the key on: forks, chains, tires, fluids, battery or propane, brakes, horn, steering and lift controls, and reporting defects.

Practise Pre-use (circle) checks questionsFlashcardsOfficial chapter

Forklift Trucks: Daily Checks

  • Inspect the lift truck every day, at the start of each shift and before each use.
  • First do a visual "circle check" with the truck off, then an operational check with the key on.
  • Visual check: general condition, floor and overhead clear, fire extinguisher present and charged, engine oil, fuel and radiator levels on engine trucks, propane tank mounting, position pin, relief valve and hose.
  • Battery: charged, no exposed wires, clean and tight plugs, vent caps not clogged, electrolyte level adequate, held down by brackets.
  • Wheels and tires: wear, damage and air pressure on pneumatic tires.
  • Mast: no broken welds, cracks or bends. Forks: not bent, not at different heights, no cracks, positioning latches working.
  • Chains and anchor pins not worn, loose or bent; hoses secure and not leaking; no fluid drips.
  • Seat belt or restraint working; seat locked; overhead guard and other guards secure.
  • Operational check: foot brake stops smoothly, parking brake holds, deadman seat brake holds when the operator rises, horn audible, back-up alarm and lights working, steering smooth.
  • Raise the forks to full height and lower them completely to test the lift; tilt fully forward and back to test the tilt; check cylinders and hoses for leaks afterwards; listen for unusual noises.
  • Report any problem found to the supervisor immediately.

Safety program and Appendix III(b)

  • The operator checks the truck and attachments with a checklist provided by the employer before operating.
  • The pre-shift checklist should cover forks, tires, fluids and fuel, battery, steering, brakes, limit switches, chains and mast, leaks and the lift mechanism.
  • Defects are reported to the supervisor.

WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation s. 16.3

  • Before mobile equipment is first used on a shift, the operator must inspect it and report unsafe defects to the supervisor or employer.
  • During operation the operator must keep monitoring the equipment and report defects.
  • The employer must keep a record of reported defects for at least 2 years.

Travelling and pedestrian safety

Speed, visibility, travelling in reverse, horns and mirrors, signallers, railway tracks, power lines, and traffic plans that keep pedestrians and lift trucks apart.

Practise Travelling and pedestrian safety questionsFlashcardsOfficial chapter

Maintaining Truck Control and Professional Operator

  • Match speed to the load, pedestrians, obstructions and floor conditions, including slippery surfaces.
  • Slow down at every corner, sound the horn, and watch the swing of the rear of the truck and of the load.
  • If the load blocks your view, travel in reverse, and always look in the direction of travel.
  • When reversing: face the rear, sound the horn before moving, drive slowly, stop if your view is blocked, use a signaller when needed.
  • Check overhead clearance before entering an area or raising the forks.
  • Watch for oil, water, loose objects, holes and rough surfaces.
  • Cross railway tracks only at designated crossings, at an angle.
  • Yield to pedestrians; if someone crosses your path, stop, lower the load and wait until the way is clear.
  • No passengers unless the truck has a seat designed for one.
  • Report collisions, damage and near misses to the supervisor right away.

Ontario Regulation 851

  • s. 56: if the operator does not have a full view of the path of travel, the truck may move only as directed by a competent signaller who is in full view of the operator, can see the path and stands clear of it.
  • s. 60: near a live power line over 750 volts, every part of the equipment must stay at least 3 m away (750 V to 150,000 V), 4.5 m (150,001 to 250,000 V) or 6 m (over 250,000 V).
  • s. 60(2): if contact is possible, a worker must be posted in the operator's view to warn when the equipment approaches the minimum distance.
  • The guideline adds: barriers, warning signs, designated walkways or other safeguards are needed where pedestrians could be hit.

Traffic Management

  • Write a traffic management plan, based on a hazard assessment and made with the health and safety committee or representative, operators and pedestrians.
  • Controls include: eliminate load movement near people, substitute other equipment, change the layout, define separate pedestrian and lift truck zones, physical barriers such as bollards, mirrors and warning lights, speed limits, traffic rules, signallers, training and high-visibility clothing.
  • Exclusion zones and speed limits should allow for the braking distance of a loaded truck and the distance a falling load could travel.
  • Pedestrians should make eye contact with the driver and let the driver know they are there; do not walk near or under raised forks.
  • Avoid high pedestrian areas such as lunch rooms, time clocks and entrances.

WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation s. 16.6

  • Use designated walkways or safe work areas to separate pedestrians from mobile equipment where practical.
  • If not practical: posted speed limits, or the pedestrian and operator acknowledging each other before the pedestrian passes, or another effective means.
  • If the operator cannot see where the truck will move, they must walk the area first, use a signaller in continuous view, or use another effective precaution.
  • Backing up with a blocked rear view also needs an automatic back-up alarm audible over the background noise.

Employer responsibilities for lift truck safety (information sheet, 2021)

  • Hierarchy of controls, most to least effective: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, personal protective equipment.
  • Example: keeping pedestrians out of the lift truck area is elimination; a conveyor or powered pallet truck is substitution; barriers, proximity alarms and reversing cameras are engineering controls; walkways, signs, training and procedures are administrative; high-visibility clothing is PPE, the last resort.

Ramps, grades and surfaces

Which way the forks point on a ramp with and without a load, turning and lifting on slopes, uneven or slippery surfaces, and parking on an incline.

Practise Ramps, grades and surfaces questionsFlashcardsOfficial chapter

Appendix III(b), driving on inclines, ramps or uneven terrain

  • Without a load: travel forward going down an incline and in reverse going up (forks pointing downhill).
  • With a load: travel in reverse going down and forward going up (load pointing uphill).
  • Make sure there is enough clearance for the truck, operator and load before moving onto a grade or uneven ground.
  • Never turn the truck around on a ramp or incline.
  • Approach the grade straight on, not at an angle; operate in gear; keep a clear view in the direction of travel.
  • Check that the incline is not steeper than the truck's maximum permissible slope.
  • Stop before entering an incline; parking on an incline is a listed danger.

Maintaining Truck Control

  • Always check the manufacturer's instructions; in general, on grades over 5 % a loaded truck travels with the load pointed uphill.
  • An unloaded truck travels with the forks pointed downhill, whatever the grade.
  • Do not turn until on level ground where possible.
  • Do not raise a load while the truck is on an incline.
  • Stay clear of the edges of docks and ramps.
  • Block the wheels if a truck must be parked on an incline.

Surfaces

  • Uneven surfaces, slippery floors, ramps and dock plates are listed workplace hazards.
  • Check that floors, dock plates and elevators can carry the weight of the loaded truck; observe floor weight limits.

Picking up, carrying and stacking loads

Checking weight and clearance, fork spacing and depth, tilting back, travel height, load backrest rules, pallets, stacking and placing loads.

Practise Picking up, carrying and stacking loads questionsFlashcardsOfficial chapter

Appendix III(b), load handling

  • Before picking up: assess the load's weight and weight distribution, make sure it is within the rated capacity, check forks and attachments are rated for it, and check that the place it goes can take the weight.
  • Check overhead clearance and keep a safe distance from live power lines.
  • Engage at least two-thirds of the load length and centre the load evenly on the forks.
  • Adjust mast tilt, fork height and reach to stabilize the load; make sure nothing loose is lying on top.
  • Do not drag the forks when inserting or withdrawing them; do not raise or lower loads while the truck is moving.
  • Observe limits for free-standing stack height; make sure the load is secure and balanced before lifting.
  • Check pallets or skids are safe (no broken runners or legs).
  • When unloading: do not block fire extinguishers, exits or stairways; make sure the bottom of the stack is level and secure; tilt the load forward to set it down and back out with the forks level.

Load Handling and Maintaining Truck Control

  • Keep the mast upright and the forks level before entering a pallet; insert the forks all the way under the load.
  • Spread the forks as wide as the load allows and space them evenly from the pallet's centre stringer.
  • Lift straight up until clear, tilt back, reverse slowly, then lower to about 10–15 cm (4–6 in) to travel.
  • After setting a load down, make sure the forks no longer carry it before backing away.
  • Do not lift a load that extends above the load backrest unless no part of it can slide back toward the operator.
  • Stay at the controls whenever a load is raised.
  • Remove damaged pallets from service; re-pile or strap loose loads.

Law

  • Reg. 851 s. 51(2)(b): no part of a load may pass over a worker; use guide ropes where a rotating or swinging load could endanger a worker; the controls must be attended while a load is raised.
  • Reg. 851 ss. 45–46: material must be moved and stored so it cannot tip, collapse or fall, and items that could tip must be secured.
  • WorkSafeBC OHSR s. 16.43(6)–(8): a unitized load must not stick up above the carriage or backrest by more than half its height; loose objects must not stick up above it at all; a load that could shift and make the truck unstable must be restrained.
  • WorkSafeBC s. 16.43(5): travelling forward with a raised load is allowed only where lift trucks are separated from pedestrians and stability is maintained.

Docks, trailers, railcars and elevators

Securing trailers and railcars before you drive in, dock plates, jack stands, exhaust inside trailers, railway track rules and using a lift truck in an elevator.

Practise Docks, trailers, railcars and elevators questionsFlashcardsOfficial chapter

Appendix III(b), loading trucks and railway cars

  • Before driving into a truck, trailer or boxcar, loaded or not: make sure the vehicle is restrained against moving, the floor is strong and sound, lighting is adequate, and the dock or bridge plate is rated for the loaded lift truck and firmly in place.
  • Support an uncoupled trailer with a jack stand where needed.
  • Reg. 851 / guideline: a vehicle being entered by a lift truck must be immobilized and secured against accidental movement.

Loading and Unloading

  • Set the trailer brakes, ask the driver to turn off the engine, chock the wheels and use a trailer restraint if there is one.
  • Keep the driver clear of the area while the lift truck is moving; post signs warning not to move the vehicle.
  • If the trailer is not coupled to a tractor, its landing gear or stabilizer must fully support it.
  • Check roof clearance for the raised load and that the trailer deck can hold the truck plus load; inspect inside for holes, debris, spills and poor lighting.
  • Dock plates must be in good condition, positioned, level, secured, rated and marked for weight; dock edges should be marked.
  • Sound the horn when entering and leaving trailers; stop work if the trailer tilts, a gap opens at the dock, or steering becomes difficult.
  • Do not run gas or propane trucks inside trailers for long periods without ventilation.
  • Railcars: set hand brakes, wheel blocks and derailer before entering; cross tracks diagonally at designated places; never park within 3 m of tracks or inside railcars; never push or tow railcars or trucks, or open railcar doors with the forks.

Elevators

  • Use a lift truck in an elevator only if authorized and the elevator is designed for it (capacity, clearance, ventilation).
  • Make sure the elevator floor is level with the building floor; approach slowly and enter squarely.
  • No other person rides with the loaded truck; set the brakes, lower the load, put the controls in neutral, shut off the power and get off the truck.

Lifting people on work platforms

When a lift truck may raise a worker, platform and guardrail requirements, the half-capacity rule, test lifts, fall protection and staying at the controls.

Practise Lifting people on work platforms questionsFlashcardsOfficial chapter

Ontario Regulation 851 s. 52

  • A crane, lift truck or similar equipment may support, raise or lower a worker only when the worker is on a proper platform.
  • The platform must have safety devices that stop it falling if its normal support fails, or be attached to a hydraulically or pneumatically operated mast or boom with a device that prevents free fall if a pressure line fails.
  • If the truck is not designed specifically for hoisting people, the load applied must be less than half of the truck's maximum rated load.
  • The platform must carry a sign showing the load that may be applied.
  • If there are controls in more than one place, each must be able to shut off power and interlocks must let only one station work at a time.
  • Unless the controls are operated from the platform, another worker must attend and operate the controls.
  • The Ontario guideline adds: a lift truck must not be used to raise or lower a worker on a construction project.

Work Platforms to Elevate Personnel

  • Use a lift truck work platform only when other means (ladders, scaffolds, elevating work platforms) are not available.
  • Platforms must be commercially made or designed and certified by a professional engineer, with guardrails or travel restraint, toe boards, and a screen between the person and the lift mechanism.
  • Combined weight of platform, load and people: no more than half of the nameplate capacity, or one-third on a rough terrain lift truck.
  • Truck on firm, flat, level ground; platform secured to the forks or mast as the manufacturer directs; platform level and centred.
  • Do a trial lift first to check reach, a vertical mast and clearance from racks, structures and power lines.
  • Put travel controls in neutral and set the parking brake; mark off the area with cones.
  • Enter and exit only at floor level; lift and lower smoothly and only at the person's request.
  • The operator stays at the controls the whole time and never moves the truck with someone on the platform or the platform raised.
  • People on the platform must not stand on guardrails or use ladders or planks to reach higher.
  • Never use a pallet on the forks as an improvised work platform.

Appendix III(b), personnel lifting

  • Use only a platform made for the purpose, with a guardrail, secured to the mast; test it before anyone gets on; keep the upright vertical; stay at the controls; do not travel with people on the platform.

Parking, shutdown and unattended trucks

The shutdown sequence, what the law says about leaving a lift truck or a raised load unattended, chocking wheels and where not to park.

Practise Parking, shutdown and unattended trucks questionsFlashcardsOfficial chapter

Ontario Regulation 851

  • s. 57: a vehicle left unattended must be immobilized and secured against accidental movement.
  • s. 58: powered equipment must not be left unattended unless forks, buckets, blades and similar parts are lowered or solidly supported.
  • s. 51(2)(b)(iii): when a lifting device's load is raised, the controls must be attended by an operator.

Appendix III(b), shut-down and parking

  • Come to a complete stop, set the parking brake and put the direction lever in neutral.
  • Lower the forks to the ground and tilt them forward.
  • Turn off the power with the proper shut-down procedure; chock the wheels if the truck could move.

Maintaining Truck Control and Professional Operator

  • Park only in an approved location.
  • Lower the forks until the tips touch the floor; neutralize the controls.
  • Turn off the motor, remove the key, and shut off the fuel supply (disconnect the battery or follow the propane shut-down steps).
  • Block the wheels if parked on an incline.
  • Never leave the truck unattended while it is running or loaded; do not let unauthorized people operate it.
  • Do not park near heat sources, doorways, aisles, elevators, stairways or exits, and never block fire equipment or exits.

WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation s. 16.9

  • Before leaving the controls unattended, secure the equipment against movement by using at least two effective braking or parking means (parking brake, the manufacturer's park position, wheel chocks), and chock the wheels if needed.
  • An elevated load or part must not be left unattended unless it is landed in a safe position or otherwise secured.

Propane, fuel and battery charging

Changing propane cylinders, leak checks, carbon monoxide, refuelling gasoline equipment, charging lead-acid batteries, hydrogen gas and acid first aid.

Practise Propane, fuel and battery charging questionsFlashcardsOfficial chapter

Hazards of Propane and Safe Handling of Propane (LPG) Fuel

  • Propane is very flammable and heavier than air, so a leak can collect in pits and low areas.
  • Incomplete burning of propane produces carbon monoxide; headache, fatigue, dizziness and nausea in a building with propane trucks can mean poor ventilation.
  • Liquid propane on skin can cause frostbite; wear leather or insulated gloves and eye protection when changing cylinders.
  • Change cylinders outdoors or in a well-ventilated low-traffic area, away from ignition sources, with the forks lowered, controls in neutral and parking brake set.
  • Close the cylinder valve and let the engine run until it stops, so the hose is empty; then turn the key off and disconnect.
  • Line the new cylinder up with the positioning pin so the relief valve points the right way; tighten the connector by hand, not with tools.
  • Open the valve slowly; a hiss of one to two seconds is normal, longer means a leak. Check with soap solution or a leak detector, never a flame.
  • Tag and remove damaged cylinders; do not drag, drop or roll cylinders; store them upright, secured, ventilated and away from heat and exits.
  • Do not mount more cylinders than the truck was designed for.

Ontario Regulation 851 s. 61

  • Gasoline engines on mobile equipment are refuelled outdoors, with the engine stopped, no ignition source within 3 m of the dispensing point, and room left for the fuel to expand.

Batteries

  • Lead-acid batteries contain sulfuric acid (electrolyte); only trained and authorized people should handle them.
  • Charging produces hydrogen and oxygen, an explosive mixture; charge only in approved, well-ventilated charging areas.
  • Keep sparks, flames, smoking and other ignition sources away; keep metal tools and jewellery away from terminals.
  • A charging area needs an eyewash station and a safety shower.
  • Add water after the battery is fully charged and cooled, never before or during charging; use distilled water and never add acid.
  • Wear splash-proof goggles, a face shield, chemical-resistant gloves and an apron.
  • Turn off or unplug the charger before connecting or disconnecting the clamps; positive (red) to positive, negative (black) to negative; do not overcharge.
  • Neutralize acid spills with a suitable solution such as baking soda, then rinse.
  • Acid on skin or in the eyes: flush with lukewarm, gently flowing water for at least 30 minutes without stopping, holding eyelids open, and get emergency medical care.

Maintenance, forks and records

The yearly load-capacity examination, inspection intervals, maintenance records, fork wear limits, who may repair forks and safe servicing practices.

Practise Maintenance, forks and records questionsFlashcardsOfficial chapter

Ontario Regulation 851 s. 51(1) and (1.1)

  • A lifting device must be thoroughly examined by a competent person to confirm it can handle its maximum rated load before it is used for the first time, and then as often as needed but not less often than the manufacturer recommends and at least once a year.
  • A record of the examination must be kept, signed by the competent person.
  • The record is kept for at least one year, or longer so that at least the two most recent records are kept.

Maintenance

  • "For the first time" means the first time by this employer, so even a new or used truck must be examined when acquired.
  • When a truck is leased or rented, OHSA s. 31(1) makes the supplier responsible for compliance; the user usually still handles routine maintenance.
  • The yearly requirement is generally met by an examination every 2000 hours of use (one shift for 12 months); more use or harsh conditions mean more frequent examinations.
  • Any modification that could affect load handling must be followed by a new capacity examination.
  • Maintenance technicians should be competent; the ministry suggests about five years of field service experience on lift trucks.

Maintenance and Fork Safety

  • Only trained, qualified people service lift trucks, following the manufacturer's schedule.
  • CSA B335 recommends a planned maintenance inspection at the manufacturer's interval (about every 200 hours if none), an annual inspection (about 2000 hours or yearly), and a lifting capacity inspection.
  • Never work under raised forks or an elevated truck unless securely blocked; do not start a truck on a hoist or wheel stands.
  • Forks: visual check daily and a thorough inspection every six months by a trained person.
  • Fork tips should not differ in height by more than 3 % of the blade length; the fork angle should not differ from the original (usually 90°) by more than 3°.
  • Cracks in the heel or hanger can be found by magnetic particle or dye penetrant testing.
  • Only the fork manufacturer should repair forks; do not modify forks without the supplier, do not overload them.

WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation s. 16.17 and information sheet

  • Records of maintenance, repairs or modifications that affect safe performance must be kept and available to operators and maintenance staff.
  • Mobile equipment must not be maintained while operating unless that is essential and risks are controlled.

Written in our own words from: Guideline for the Safe Operation and Maintenance of Powered Lift Trucks (Ontario)

FAQ

Forklift Operator study guide: common questions

What is the best way to use this Forklift Operator study guide?

Read one topic, then answer that topic's practice questions while the rules are fresh. Note the questions you miss, re-read those notes, and finish with a full practice test across all 12 topics.

Is this the official Forklift Operator handbook?

No. It is our own summary of the Guideline for the Safe Operation and Maintenance of Powered Lift Trucks (Ontario). Use it to review, and use the official handbook when you need the exact wording of a rule.

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