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2015 Collection: Sporadic Notes from The Toy Factory #5 Sights and Sounds

    

Forklift Track
    
"I used to drive an electric industrial forklift. It's a job of some skill. Not everyone makes a good forklift driver. I'm not claiming I was the best that ever was by far, but I can say I could back one up using my mirror better than anyone else on my shift at the very least; owing to the many years I drove dairy and freight trucks in Iowa, where I had to back up sometimes long distances, and around various parked vehicles in close confines, using only my side mirrors. I had a lot of practice and safely utilized it on the job. 

    "The conventionally accepted method of driving a forklift in reverse is turning your body on the seat, left to right, and looking over your left shoulder in the direction you are traveling, as you apply the reverse pedal. The negative issue about that method is, long term, a person taxes their neck and lower back driving a forklift that way, especially on an uneven concrete floor as there usually is minimal suspension on the machine; an air-ride seat, as I had, aids tremendously in the comfort of the driver. 

    "Utilizing the rearview mirror is ergonomically sound, if not in strict adherence with OSHA, and keeps the driver's neck and back straight. OSHA: Operating the Forklift

   Pre-Operation

   Traveling & Maneuvering

   Load Handling

Keep a clear view.

[29 CFR 1910.178(n)(6)]

Look in the direction of travel. When reversing, look behind. [29 CFR 1910.178(n)(6)]

Use spotters, rear view mirrors, 

or other aids to increase visibility. 

Which I argued when questioned, I did, looking where I was going backwards in the mirror as well (" ... to increase visibility.") ; my drivers safety record reflected this.

    "The wavering hum of electrical solenoids and motors at idle. The horn in an elliptical-shaped steering wheel; and the spinner knob in the narrow of the lobe.

    "Two joysticks at the end of the righthand arm rest: The left stick makes the forks go up and down; tilt forward and backward. The right stick narrows or widens the forks; slides the pair left or right.

    "The three floor pedals are for direction; the left pedal is for reverse and also called the inch brake; the middle pedal is the brake; and the right pedal is forward motion. The brake is seldom used as releasing either of the directional pedals will effectively slow and stop the vehicle.

    "The loud jarring slap of the steel forks against the uneven concrete floor in places makes me appreciate the hearing protection ear plugs I have to wear. 

    "The loud attention-getting beep-beep noise of the back-up alarm as I travel in reverse.

    "The 'cush' sound of an air-ride adjustable seat suspension. The mirror-like reflection of activities rearward of me; knowledge of blindspots below my line of vision when looking over my shoulder.

    "The sensation of riding 36-40-inches above the floor within a steel cage creates limited frontal vision because of the mast and vertical locations of hydraulic hoses either side of it.

    "The expansive rear vision through a proper mirror not too convex. 

    "The 'whirl-turn panning effect' when turning a corner with one hand."



Comments

Joe - Wednesday's Child said…
My neck hurts just reading this story!
March 27, 2022 at 10:09 AM
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