title = "Forklift Operation: Load Limits and Safe Practices"

content = """
Forklifts are the primary powered industrial vehicles at Ridgecrest Metalworks and are involved in a significant proportion of industrial facility fatalities and serious injuries nationally. Safe forklift operation requires certified training, daily inspection, and disciplined operating habits.

**Certification.** All forklift operators must hold a valid Ridgecrest forklift certification card for each class of equipment they operate. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178 requires training every three years at minimum, and following any observed unsafe behavior, accident, or near-miss. Uncertified personnel may not operate any powered industrial truck under any circumstances, including in emergencies.

**Pre-shift inspection (OSHA-required).** Before the first use of each shift, the operator completes the pre-use checklist:
- Forks: no cracks, bends, or wear exceeding 10% of original thickness; fork hooks engage the carriage securely.
- Tires: adequate tread, no chunking or flat spots; pneumatic tires properly inflated.
- Hydraulics: mast raises, lowers, and tilts smoothly; no visible leaks on hoses or cylinders.
- Brakes: service and parking brake both functional.
- Horn, lights, and backup alarm: all operational.
- Battery charge (electric) or fuel level (LP gas/diesel): sufficient for the shift.
Any defect grounds the truck until maintenance clears it. Tag the truck with an out-of-service tag and notify the supervisor.

**Load capacity.** The data plate on every forklift states the rated capacity at a specific load center (typically 24 inches). Moving the load center farther forward (as with long bar stock or extending the load on the forks) reduces the effective capacity significantly—consult the load capacity chart on the data plate. Never estimate; check the chart.

**Safe travel.** Travel with the load as low as possible (forks 6–8 inches off the floor), mast tilted back. Never travel with the load elevated except when placing on a rack at height—and then only approach slowly with no passengers, pedestrians cleared, and horn sounded at intersections. Speed limit in the facility is 5 mph or walking speed in pedestrian zones.

**Pedestrian right-of-way.** Pedestrians always have right-of-way. The forklift must stop and yield. Sound horn before entering any aisle, blind corner, or doorway.

**Prohibited actions.** Never carry passengers; never use forks to lift personnel except in a specifically designed and secured work platform; never leave a raised load unattended; never exceed the data plate capacity.
"""

version = "0.0.1"
