Motorized Pallet Jacks: Safe Operation

Course Length: 30 minutes

Overview: A motorized pallet jack is a basic piece of equipment used to raise a heavy load a few inches off the ground and move it to another location. Although this seems like a simple task, pallet jacks can cause serious injury or death if they are misused or if the operator isn’t properly trained on how to use the equipment safely.

This course helps satisfy the operator training requirements under OSHA's Powered Industrial Trucks Standard (1910.178(l)). Specifically, it is designed to help learners inspect and operate a motorized pallet jack in a safe way, protecting themselves and their coworkers from the potential hazards associated with their use.

After completing this course, learners will be able to:

• Identify the basic controls of a walkie and walkie-rider pallet jack
• Explain what to look for when performing a pre-use inspection
• Describe how to safely operate a motorized pallet jack (including picking up, traveling with, and placing a load, and parking it)
• Recognize common hazards associated with motorized pallet jacks and ways to avoid them

Outline:

J. J. Keller's Motorized Pallet Jacks: Safe Operation covers the following topics:

Types of Pallet Jacks

• Motorized Pallet Jacks
• Walkies
• Walkie-riders

Safe Operating Procedures

• Pre-Use Inspection
• Picking Up a Load
• Traveling with a Load
• Placing a Load
• Parking