Performing An Effective Pallet Truck Risk Assessment

Before tasks involving a pallet truck are conducted, it is advised that a risk assessment is completed. This involves making a suitable assessment of all manual

handling operations, which consists of looking into areas such as:

The task
The questions that need to be asked when assessing the task involved with a pallet truck are, do they involve:
 •    Long carrying distances?
 •    Strenuous pulling or pushing?
 •    Unpredictable movement of loads?
 •    Insufficient recovery or rest?
The loads
The questions that need to be asked when assessing the loads involved with a pallet truck are if they are:
 •    Bulky/unwieldy?
 •    Heavy?
 •    Unstable/unpredictable
 •    Difficult to grasp?

The working environment
The questions that need to be asked when assessing the working environment involved with a pallet truck are if there are:

• Poor lighting conditions
• Variations in levels
• Constraints on posture
• Poor floor quality
• Hot/cold conditions
• The pallet truck
• The most important questions that need to be asked before using a pallet truck concern the pallet truck itself. You need to:
  Inspect the pallet truck to see if it’s in generally good working condition
  Check steering, forks, brakes, controls, hydraulics and warning devices (if fitted)
  Inspect wheels to ensure they are not worn out or have any cracks or damage
  Once these areas have been assessed for any potential risks and the appropriate corrective measures have been taken to reduce or eliminate them, the task that involves the pallet truck can safely begin.