Pallet truck safety checklist

If you have frequent deliveries, but not enough to need a fork lift, you may use a pedestrian-controlled pallet truck to move goods around. If so, take a look at our checklist to help you do this safely.

Pallet truck safety

If the volume and/or weight of deliveries coming into your business justify it, you may use pedestrian-controlled pallet trucks to move goods around your site. If so, consider using a Pallet Truck Safety Checklist to help ensure that this is done safely.

Checking the truck

The first section is aimed at those thinking about purchasing a pallet truck; be it new or secondhand. For example, there are several questions that look at what information is contained on the “information plate” that should be attached to the truck. This includes the name and address of the manufacturer as well as the maximum safe load that the truck can carry. Section two looks at the controls, such as how smoothly they work and if the parking brake is in good working order.

Location and use

With any piece of equipment, it’s easy to overlook the environment in which it’s going to be used. For this reason, section three considers the location and assesses its suitability. For example, it looks at the flooring, e.g. if it’s level with a smooth surface. Section four briefly looks at training for staff and the fifth focuses on how the truck will actually be used (the eight bullet points in this section can be incorporated into staff training). The last section covers maintenance issues, whilst at the bottom of the page, there’s space for the assessor to sign and date the assessment.