What loads should not be carried on a Pallet truck?
• Tubes – Why? Would roll off when pallet truck begins to move.
• Lengths – Why? If longer than the pallet truck would be difficult to manoeuvre around aisles as there would be hanging over
• Engines or other unpalletised components – Why? Potential to leak oil or slip off truck. NB – These items must be placed onto a pallet for transportation.
• Loose boxes – Why? These often fall between the gaps in the forks causing a sudden stopping and also damaging customers goods
How to use the Pallet truck safely
• Facing the truck, with the truck now under the pallet, grip handle firmly – both hands must be used to grip handle.
• Gently push operating lever down until it clicks into position and then begin to pump the handle up and down, thus raising the load.
• With the load raised, put both hands on the handle tightly and very slowly attempt to move the load – this is to test the weight of the load.
What if the load is too heavy?
• Arms, legs and back muscle would naturally go taut to brace against load
• If too heavy you should use another lifting tool e.g. a forklift truck.
If load weight is okay
• Move forward – walking slowly at first to get a feel for the load before you move into normal walking pace.
