The following is a basic guide to safe transport and storage of materials handling equipment, as supplied to Forkliftaction.com News by forklift company TASK Australia's Nick Ramage.

* DON'T take your forklifts onto the road. The forklift is designed for materials handling only. It is an on-site machine and inappropriate for long-distance road travel.

* DON'T lift a forklift by its overhead guard.

* DON'T snatch the towing device as this may damage the tow pin or towing device.

* DON'T use wooden blocks which are higher than 300 millimetres when supporting a forklift. Place equal-sized wooden blocks under both sides of the body. Lift the forklift and place it carefully on the wooden blocks - checking to ensure it is stable.

* DO use solid wooden blocks. Ensure they are firm enough to support the forklift's weight.

* DO transport forklifts that are more than five tonnes capacity by ship, train or by truck.

* DO use steel slings and shackles to lift truck. They should have holes in the two sides of the outside mast's beam and the hook in the counter balance, then use a lifting device of the right lifting capacity to lift the truck.

* DO use a correctly-rated lifting sling and lifting device to lift the forklift.

* DO stand clear when lifting a forklift.

* DO recharge forklift batteries. Remember that any forklift battery that will be in-situ longer than two months will require a recharge - consult fork service specialists for specifics.

* DO secure the forklift for storage. For any storage of more than 12 months always place wooden blocks under the forklift and the counter balance to reduce the weight on the wheels.

* DO use the towing pin in the bottom of the counter balance when towing forklift.

* DO remove the towing pin and install the towing device to tow the forklift. Refit the tow pin. Place transmission in neutral, release park brake lever, tow forklift.