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Forklift Operator overview

Forklift Operator: 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.

  • 16 questions
  • Topic drill
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Travelling and pedestrian safety · Question 1Score 0/0

How should a lift truck cross railway tracks?

Study reference: Canadian lift truck safety guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 5 Travelling and pedestrian safety — Reg. 851 ss. 56, 60; CCOHS Forklift Trucks: Traffic Management, Maintaining Truck Control, Common Factors in Incidents; WorkSafeBC OHSR s. 16.6

All 16 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

  1. How should a lift truck cross railway tracks?

    1. Anywhere, straight across at speed
    2. Backwards, with the forks dragging
    3. Only with the load raised high
    4. At a designated crossing, at an angle

  2. A co-worker asks for a ride to the far end of the warehouse on your lift truck. What is the rule?

    1. No riders unless the truck has a seat designed for a passenger
    2. Riders may stand on the forks if they hold on to the load backrest
    3. Riders may sit on the counterweight at walking speed
    4. Riders are allowed if the trip is shorter than 50 metres

  3. In Ontario, how must a lift truck be moved when the operator does not have a full view of the path?

    1. Only with the forks raised high enough to see under the load
    2. Only after the operator honks three times and waits five seconds
    3. Only if the operator has more than five years of experience
    4. Only as directed by a competent signaller in the operator's view

  4. When a lift truck could contact a live power line, what extra safeguard does Ontario require?

    1. A worker posted in the operator's view to warn of the minimum distance
    2. Rubber tires on the truck, which make contact with lines safe
    3. A sign on the truck saying the operator knows where the power lines are
    4. Driving at walking speed with the horn sounding at all times

  5. When setting lift truck speed limits and exclusion zones, what should a traffic plan take into account?

    1. Braking distance of a loaded truck and how far a load could fall
    2. The time it takes to recharge a lift truck battery
    3. The operator's favourite route and preferred travel speed
    4. Only the width of the widest truck in the fleet and the aisle widths

  6. What is the minimum distance from a 200,000-volt power line in Ontario?

    1. 1.5 m
    2. 10 m
    3. 3 m
    4. 4.5 m

  7. A pedestrian steps into your travel path. What should you do?

    1. Sound the horn and keep moving slowly toward them
    2. Raise the load so it passes over their head
    3. Steer around them at your normal travel speed and keep going
    4. Stop, lower the load and wait until the way is clear

  8. What should pedestrians do before crossing in front of a lift truck?

    1. Walk quickly under the raised forks to save time
    2. Make eye contact with the driver so their presence is known
    3. Assume the driver has seen them and keep walking
    4. Wave from behind the truck and expect the driver to hear them

  9. In Ontario, how far must every part of a lift truck stay from a 100,000-volt power line?

    1. At least 3 m
    2. At least 0.5 m
    3. At least 1 m
    4. At least 2 m

  10. In B.C., what must a lift truck have before backing up when the operator cannot see directly behind it?

    1. A flag on the mast that is at least two metres high
    2. A rear-facing seat for a passenger to watch behind
    3. A back-up alarm plus a walk-around, signaller or similar step
    4. Only a mirror, which replaces any other precaution

  11. A tall load blocks your forward view. How should you travel?

    1. Forward, leaning out to the side to see around the load
    2. Forward slowly, sounding the horn constantly
    3. Forward, with the load raised to see under it
    4. In reverse, looking in the direction of travel

  12. Bollards and fences that separate pedestrian walkways from lift truck aisles are which kind of control?

    1. Elimination of the lift truck from the building
    2. Engineering control (a physical barrier)
    3. Personal protective equipment worn by workers
    4. Administrative control such as a written rule

  13. When turning a counterbalanced lift truck, which part swings out and can strike people or racks?

    1. The rear of the truck
    2. The overhead guard
    3. The fork carriage
    4. The front wheels

  14. Where must a signaller stand when guiding a lift truck in Ontario?

    1. In full view of the operator and clear of the path of travel
    2. On the back of the truck so they can see over the load
    3. Directly in front of the forks so the operator can follow them
    4. Out of sight, giving signals with a whistle only

  15. What should you do as you approach a corner or blind intersection?

    1. Flash the lights and keep going
    2. Raise the load to see over it
    3. Slow down and sound the horn
    4. Speed up to clear it quickly

  16. Which control is at the top (most effective) of the hierarchy of controls for lift truck traffic?

    1. Eliminating the hazard, such as keeping pedestrians out of truck areas
    2. Putting up signs that tell people to watch for lift trucks
    3. Training pedestrians to listen for horns and alarms
    4. Issuing high-visibility vests to every pedestrian working on the site

Travelling and pedestrian safety: key rules to remember

Our summary of what the official handbook says on this topic, in our own words. Read it before or after the practice questions above, then check the original chapter. Read the official 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.

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