25.6 INFORMATION WHICH SHOULD BE EXCHANGED BETWEEN THE USER AND THE DESIGNER OR SUPPLIER

Lifting forks may be used for specific applications or for a variety of similar applications. It is therefore usually possible to give the designer or supplier precise or general details of the tasks to be performed. This information should include but is not necessarily limited to the following:

  1. The minimum and maximum mass of the load to be lifted.

  2. The size and type of pallet to be lifted or, if self palletised, the position of the fork arm apertures and method of securing the load elements e.g. banding, wrapping.

  3. The physical dimensions and shape of the load to be lifted.

  4. The make up of the load to be lifted, i.e. a single object or multiple objects, and if multiple, the method of securing them, e.g. building blocks secured by shrink wrap.

  5. The type of suspension, i.e. fixed, manual or automatic adjustment.

  6. The available headroom.

  7. The control features required, e.g. grab handles.

  8. Details of the operating environment and service conditions, e.g. extremes of temperature, probability of shock loading, uncertainty of mass of the load.

  9. Other safety features required, e.g. secondary positive holding device.