Vehicles

Holman currently utilizes the following equipment below, please click the link to view the operating manual.  

• Forklifts 
• Genie Lifts 
• Scissor Lifts 
• Company Vehicle 

Forklifts – General Procedures 

• Driver must hold a certified forklift license. A copy of each employee’s licence is retained by the Warehouse Manager. 
• Know the recommended load limit of the forklift and never exceed it.  
• Know how to assess the weight of the load to be lifted.  
• Do a visual and operational check of the forklift at the start of the shift.  
• Always inspect and wear any seat belt or operator restraint device/system when these devices are available on the forklift truck.  
• Know how to properly enter and leave the vehicle. 
• Be familiar with the route for travel.  
• Look ahead for any obstructions or restrictions that might be in the path you are going to travel (e.g., slippery floors, items in the path, weight restrictions for floors, dock or bridge plates, elevators, etc.). 
• Check for adequate overhead clearance before raising the load.  
• Operate a forklift smoothly when stopping, starting, lifting, and tilting. 
• Know the blind spots of the lift truck with and without a load. 
• Use corner mirrors, back-up alarms, buzzers, and warning lights to help prevent collisions. 
• Communicate with workers who are nearby so they understand where you plan to travel.  
• Keep pedestrians away from a forklift in operation. Operate with extreme caution when near pedestrians. 
• Stop when anyone crosses the route being travelled. Lower the load to the floor and wait until clear.  
• Operate at a safe speed, taking into consideration all conditions.  
• If loading another vehicle (e.g., transport truck), verify that the load wheels on the other vehicle are chocked before driving into the space.  
• Use proper procedures when travelling on inclines or ramps.  
• Ensure that the fire exits, stairways, and fire equipment are not blocked by the truck or the load. 
• Wear leather gloves when moving or shifting loads or when checking skids. 
• Wear fully laced safety boots to give impact protection when moving loads or skids and to provide ankle support when mounting and dismounting lift truck.  
• Remain alert and prepare for the unexpected. 
• Note anything that affects the normal operation of the forklift and tell the supervisor immediately. 
• Keep hands, arms, head, feet, and legs inside the confines of a moving forklift. 
• Stay in the truck in case of overturn.  
• Report any collisions, damage, or near-miss incidents to a supervisor immediately.  

Genie Lifts – General Procedures 

• Conduct a pre-operation inspection (see below): Before using the lift, conduct a thorough inspection of the machine to ensure that it is in good working condition. Check for any signs of damage, loose or missing parts, and leaks. 
• Review the operator’s manual: Read and understand the operator’s manual thoroughly before using the lift. Pay attention to the manufacturer’s guidelines on weight capacity, proper usage, and emergency procedures. 
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment: Always wear a hard hat, safety harness, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) required by the job or the manufacturer. 
• Check the surroundings: Before using the lift, check the area for any hazards such as overhead power lines, obstructions, uneven ground, or soft soil. 
• Secure the work area: Use barricades or warning signs to secure the work area to prevent unauthorized access or pedestrian traffic. 
• Ensure the lift is on level ground: Always use the lift on level ground to prevent tipping. Use outriggers or stabilizers when necessary to stabilize the lift. 
• Use the lift controls correctly: Use the lift controls smoothly and deliberately to prevent sudden movements. Always keep hands and feet away from moving parts. 
• Never overload the lift: Never exceed the manufacturer’s recommended weight capacity for the lift. Overloading the lift can cause it to tip over or fail. 
• Stay alert: Stay focused and alert while operating the lift. Do not use the lift if you are fatigued, impaired, or distracted. 
• Have a rescue plan: Have a rescue plan in place in case of an emergency. This includes having a means of communication, a rescue kit, and trained personnel on standby. 
• Conduct certified annual inspection as per the manufacturer guidelines. 

Scissor Lifts – General Procedures 

• Conduct certified annual inspection as per manufacturer guidelines. 
• Driver must hold a certified scissor lift license. A copy of each employee’s licence is retained by the Warehouse Manager. 
• Adequate safety harnesses and lanyard must be worn. 
• Do not exceed the scissor lift capacity. Capacity per scissor lift is 2 people. 
• Safety regulations do not permit access outside of the area of the scissor lift platform. 
• Scissor lift must be at the lowest position before moving forward or backwards. 
• Inspect the scissor lift before operating. If the lift fails the pre-operation inspection, report the problem to the supervisor. Never try to repair the lift yourself. 
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (i.e., hard hats, goggles, gloves) during operation. 
• Maintain safe clearance from electrical lines and apparatus. It has electrical danger and might collide with you at a height. 
• Never exceed the manufacturer’s rated platform capacity. Read the manual carefully and check the load chart. It has more details on load capacity and how to balance the load at a height. 
• Do not carry materials on the platform railing unless approved by the manufacturer. Check the manual provided by the manufacturer. It has every detail on the rules for the platform. 
• Do not sit, stand, or climb on the guardrails of an elevated work platform or use planks, ladders, or other devices to gain greater working height. Any slipping or tipping can lead to a severe accident. 
• Do not allow anyone to work, walk or stand under a raised boom or platform. It is the major reason for any fall accident. 
• Watch for obstructions when driving the lift or moving the platform. Inspect the work area for dangerous conditions, uneven surfaces, and overhead obstructions such as power lines. Report unsafe conditions to a supervisor before continuing with the task by a scissor lift. 
• Keep non-operational personnel at least 6 ft away from the machine when driving the lift. 
• Never slam a control switch or lever through neutral to the opposite direction. Always return the switch to neutral and stop; then move the switch to the desired position. 
• Never use the lift as a crane or use the lift to push or pull another object. It causes structural damages and high repairing costs. 
• Never rest or support the aerial lift’s basket on or against any structure. 
• Never belt off to adjacent poles, structures, or equipment while working on the aerial lift. 
• Before using the lift on an incline, apply the brake systems and if safe to do so, choke the lift’s wheels. 
• When moving an aerial lift with the boom in the elevated working position and with workers in the basket, ensure that all controls are tested and are operating properly. 
• In addition to the above safety rules, training is essential for every level of hierarchy that deals with operating scissor lifts. 

Lift Vehicles – Daily Inspection Guidelines 

An operator should inspect the forklift truck every day, including at the beginning of each shift, and before using each time. The operator should carry out a visual check (“circle” check) before starting the forklift. After completing the visual pre-start check, the operator should do an operational pre-use check. 

Visual Pre-Start Check 

•     Inspect general condition and cleanliness. 
•     Inspect floor to ensure clear of objects that could cause an incident. 
•     Inspect overhead to ensure no obstructions. 
•     Note nearby objects to avoid as you drive away. 
•     Fire extinguisher should present and charged. 
•     Inspect engine oil level, fuel level, radiator fluid level  
•     Inspect the following for propane equipment: 
  • fuel tank mounting system; 
  • fuel tank position pin; 
  • propane relief valves; 
  • hose condition; 

•     Ensure battery has the following:  
  • fully charged;  
  • no exposed wires;  
  • plug connections not loose, worn or dirty;  
  • vent caps not clogged;  
  • electrolyte levels in cells is adequate;  
  • secured in place by hold-downs or brackets. 

•     Inspect bolts, nuts, guards, chains, or hydraulic hose reels not damaged, missing or loose. 
•     Inspect wheels and tires – Inspect for wear, damage, and air pressure (if pneumatic tires). 
•     Inspect forks for: 
  • forks not bent or at different heights;  
  • no cracks present; positioning latches in good working condition;  
  • carriage teeth not broken, chipped or worn. 

•     Inspect chain anchor pins are not worn, loose or bent. 
•     Inspect for fluid leaks and no damp spots or drips. 
•     Inspect hoses – held securely; not loose, crimped, worn or rubbing. 
•     Inspect for grease or debris in the operator compartment. 
•     Seatbelt and/or operator restraint device should have the following: 
  • belts and restraints work properly;  
  • no visible wear or damage;  
  • anchors, buckles, etc. function properly. 

•     Ensure seat locks are in position 
•     Ensure overhead guard, or roll over protection secure with no damaged areas. 
•     Inspect other guards ensuring all guards in place and in good condition. 

Visual Pre-Operation Check 

Please test the following functions on the Lift Vehicle 

• Foot brake – pedal holds, unit stops smoothly. 
• Parking brake – holds against slight acceleration. 
• Deadman seat brake – holds when operator rises from seat. 
• Clutch and gearshift – shifts smoothly with no jumping or jerking. 
• Dash control panel – all lights and gauges are operational. 
• Horn – working and loud enough to be heard in working environment. 
• Back-up (reverse) alarm and other warning devices are operational. 
• Lights – headlights and warning lights are operational. 
• Steering – moves smoothly. 
• Lift mechanism – operates smoothly (check by raising forks to maximum height then lowering forks completely). 
• Tilt mechanism – moves smoothly, holds the load (check by tilting mast all the way forward and backward). 
• Cylinders and hoses – not leaking after above checks. 
• Listen for any unusual sounds or noises. 
• Report any problems identified in daily check to the supervisor immediately. 

Company Vehicles – General Procedures 

• Conduct annual inspection as per manufacturer guidelines. 
• Driver must hold valid driver’s license as per vehicle class. A copy of each employee’s licence is retained by the Warehouse Manager. 
• Conduct daily circle check inspection. 
• Do not exceed load capacity. 
• Driver’s daily logbook must be always completed. 

Company Vehicles – Pre-Operation Inspection 

The inspection should be done before using the vehicle, at least daily, and can be done each time you use the vehicle (pre-operation inspection). Walking around your vehicle before driving will also give you the opportunity to look for obstructions or hazards that are in the area that may be a concern when driving (e.g., people, pets, posts, poles, holes, other vehicles, etc.) NOTE: This document covers typical vehicles such as cars, trucks, and SUVs 

Download and complete the inspection checklist.