Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) Safety Assessment Practice Test

When the load obscures the operator's forward view, driving the forklift in reverse is the safest course of action. This is because reversing allows the operator to have a clearer line of sight, reducing the risk of collisions or accidents. Visibility is a critical aspect of safe material handling in any manufacturing or warehouse setting, and operating in reverse helps mitigate the potential dangers that arise when the forward view is blocked by the load.

While driving slowly and lowering the load might seem like sensible options, they do not address the root issue of impaired visibility. Driving slowly might mitigate some risks, but it does not completely eliminate the danger posed by not being able to see the path ahead. Lowering the load could improve visibility to some extent, but it may not always be feasible or safe depending on other factors like the surrounding environment or the weight distribution of the load.

Therefore, when the forward view is compromised, it is best practice to operate the forklift in reverse to maintain safety and ensure that the operator can see the direction in which they're moving.