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Instructions for Safe Use of a Pallet Jack

Pallet jacks make difficult tasks easy and reduce the manpower needed to move, load and unload heavy materials. Dangers abound when workers forget that the seemingly easy tasks they are doing are actually difficult. Avoid serious injuries such as pulled muscles, strained backs, and injured arms, hands or feet, by observing these common-sense safety rules whenever working with a pallet jack.

  1. Plan for Safety

    • Check the pallet jack to make sure it is in good working order. Cracked or worn wheels may cause the load to shift or become unbalanced. Damaged or inoperable controls may result in the jack not operating as required and can cause the load to become unresponsive or out of control. Familiarize yourself with the controls before attempting to move a load. Sudden shifts in the load may require a quick response, and there may be no time to find the correct control mechanism.

      Examine the floor where the load will be moved to check for cracks, holes or obstacles that could catch a wheel or cause the load to shift or tip over. Move the load slowly to allow the pallet jack time to respond to any changes. Push the load, especially when moving down an incline. Most back injuries involving the use of pallet jacks result from straining while trying to pull a heavy load. Use a helper to guide the load from the front if it is too big to see over or around. Always store the pallet jack in an area where it will not be a tripping hazard when it is not in use.

    Safety Equipment

    • Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when working with pallet jacks. Steel-toed boots prevent injury if the jack runs over a foot. Safety glasses protect eyes, especially when you're moving chemicals or material that could cause a hazard if spilled. Gloves prevent blisters and help you maintain a good grip on the controls.

    Common-Sense Rules

    • Do not exceed the load specifications for the jack. Do not put your foot under the jack. Do not stand on the jack or put other people on the jack. Do not let go of the jack while the load is moving unless it gets out of control and might flip -- then let go and get out of the way. A spilled load is better than a crushed operator. Get help if the load is too large to see over or around. Always lower the load to the floor when the jack is not moving.

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