Side Loader Forklift Op.

This SOP outlines the safety procedures for operating side loader forklifts, addressing hazards such as load instability, pedestrian safety, and equipment collisions. It is essential for operators and employers in industries utilizing side loader forklifts, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and minimizing risks. This document not only promotes workplace safety but also enhances operational efficiency by providing clear guidelines for safe handling practices.

• Overturning when carrying long, heavy loads (e.g., timber, steel) – serious injury or fatality
• Load slippage or collapse – struck-by injury
• Runover of pedestrians – serious injury or fatality
• Collision with racking or structures due to wide load profile
• Uneven weight distribution causing instability
• Operating on slopes or uneven surfaces with a loaded side loader

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and applicable state/territory WHS legislation
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 (Cth) – Part 5.1 High Risk Work
• AS 2359.1 – Industrial trucks
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace (2024)
• Side Loader Forklift Pre-Start Checklist (associated document)