Technical reference for AS 2359.2—2013 (Powered industrial trucks — Part 2: Operations). Use this skill when the user asks about powered industrial truck operations, forklift safety requirements, operator training and qualifications, truck maintenance, workplace design for truck operations, or when an action skill needs to verify or cite specific clauses of AS 2359.2—2013.
This skill provides the complete text of AS 2359.2—2013, Powered industrial trucks — Part 2: Operations. It enables accurate clause lookup and compliance checking against the standard's requirements for the safe operation, maintenance, repair and modification of self-propelled industrial trucks and their attachments, and provides guidance for the design of workplaces in which they are used.
AS 2359.2 is an important technical standard for powered industrial truck (forklift) operations in Australia. The standard specifies requirements for the operation, training and qualifications of operators, maintenance and repair procedures, model operating procedures, and workplace design and site conditions. It addresses the complete safety framework including operator competency, safe systems of work, truck maintenance, and workplace design.
The standard is structured in six main sections. Section 1 sets out the scope, objectives and definitions. Section 2 covers the rules for operation including operator qualifications and training. Section 3 provides model operating procedures. Section 4 addresses procedures for particular truck types. Section 5 covers procedures relating to site conditions. Section 6 addresses maintenance, repair and modification.
Read the relevant section file(s) based on the subject matter of the query:
| File | Section | Key Clauses | When to Read |
|---|---|---|---|
sections/section-01-scope-and-general.md | Section 1 — Scope and General | Clauses 1.1–1.5 | Scope of the standard (truck types covered), objective, innovation, referenced documents, definitions (Clause 1.5) — including definitions of key terms such as actual capacity, load centre distance, operator, unattended truck, work platform, etc. |
sections/section-02-rules-for-operation.md | Section 2 — Rules for Operation | Clauses 2.1–2.7 | Operator qualifications (Clause 2.1), operator training and training records (Clause 2.2), operator authorisation (Clause 2.3), operating procedures (Clause 2.4), lifting of trucks, fuel handling and storage, battery handling and charging |
sections/section-03-model-operating-procedures.md | Section 3 — Model Operating Procedures | Clauses 3.1–3.16 | Pre-operating check procedures (Clause 3.2), general rules for operators, general rules for users and supervisors, unattended trucks (Clause 3.5), travelling (Clause 3.6), handling and placing loads (Clause 3.7), lateral levelling, mast tilt, work platforms, jib attachments, suspended loads, restrictions, loading/unloading vehicles, lifts, refuelling |
sections/section-04-particular-trucks.md | Section 4 — Procedures for Particular Trucks | Clauses 4.1–4.3 | Elevating operator trucks, automatically controlled trucks, freight container handling procedures |
sections/section-05-site-conditions.md | Section 5 — Procedures Covering Site Conditions | Clauses 5.1–5.14 | Hazards (Clause 5.1), pedestrian access and fencing, safety signs and devices, guards, lighting, noise levels, atmospheric pollution, utility services, ground and floor surfaces, inclines, aisles, loading docks, bridgeplates, lifts |
sections/section-06-maintenance-repair-modification.md | Section 6 — Maintenance, Repair and Modification | Clauses 6.1–6.10 | Scope of maintenance section (Clause 6.1), servicing (Clause 6.2), maintenance records (Clause 6.3), maintenance practices (Clause 6.4), operating condition, fork arm maintenance, replacement parts, modification, storage, purchasing |
| File | Appendix | Content | When to Read |
|---|---|---|---|
sections/appendix-a-traffic-management-plans.md | Appendix A | Traffic Management Plans (TMPs) for workplace control | When designing or implementing traffic control systems in workplaces where trucks operate |
sections/appendix-b-dynamic-stability.md | Appendix B | Dynamic Stability requirements | When assessing truck stability or load handling parameters |
sections/appendix-c-glossary.md | Appendix C | Glossary of additional terms | When encountering technical terminology not defined in the main clauses |
sections/appendix-d-noise-levels.md | Appendix D | Noise levels and measurement guidance | When addressing noise hazards or truck noise compliance |
sections/appendix-e-enquiry-order-tender.md | Appendix E | Enquiry, Order and Tender information | When specifying trucks for procurement or lease |
sections/appendix-f-travelling-backwards.md | Appendix F | Travelling Backwards guidance | When establishing procedures for reversing trucks |
AS 2359.2—2013 is a Category 4 — Advisory/Best Practice Standard. It is not directly mandated by specific legislation but represents recognised good practice for powered industrial truck operations. The standard is commonly referenced in workplace risk assessments and may be used as evidence of what is "reasonably practicable" under Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation.
Whilst not a legislatively mandated standard in most Australian jurisdictions, AS 2359.2 is widely recognised as the benchmark for safe truck operations. Compliance with the standard is often expected under:
Always check jurisdiction-specific requirements, as some states or territories may incorporate elements of this standard by reference in their own legislation or regulations.
For full regulatory context, consult the relevant WHS Act and Regulations for your jurisdiction.
| Query Topic | Primary Section(s) | Key Clauses |
|---|---|---|
| Operator qualifications / requirements | Section 2 | Clause 2.1 |
| Operator training requirements | Section 2 | Clause 2.2 |
| Operator authorisation / competency | Section 2 | Clause 2.3 |
| Operating procedures | Sections 2, 3 | Clauses 2.4, 3.3–3.4 |
| Pre-operation checks | Section 3 | Clause 3.2 |
| Unattended trucks — procedures | Section 3 | Clause 3.5 |
| Travelling with loads | Section 3 | Clause 3.6 |
| Handling and placing loads | Section 3 | Clause 3.7 |
| Mast tilt and lateral levelling | Section 3 | Clauses 3.8–3.9 |
| Work platforms and elevated work | Section 3 | Clause 3.12 |
| Jib attachments | Section 3 | Clause 3.13 |
| Suspended loads | Section 3 | Clause 3.14 |
| Loading/unloading vehicles | Section 3 | Clause 3.15 |
| Lifting — safe practices | Sections 2, 3 | Clauses 2.5, 3.13–3.14 |
| Battery handling and charging | Section 2 | Clause 2.7 |
| Fuel handling and storage | Section 2 | Clause 2.6 |
| Truck maintenance — general | Section 6 | Clauses 6.1–6.3 |
| Maintenance records | Section 6 | Clause 6.3 |
| Maintenance practices | Section 6 | Clause 6.4 |
| Fork arm maintenance | Section 6 | Clause 6.6 |
| Replacement parts | Section 6 | Clause 6.7 |
| Truck modification | Section 6 | Clause 6.8 |
| Elevating operator trucks | Section 4 | Clause 4.1 |
| Automatically controlled trucks | Section 4 | Clause 4.2 |
| Freight container handling | Section 4 | Clause 4.3 |
| Workplace hazards — trucks | Section 5 | Clause 5.1 |
| Pedestrian access / fencing | Section 5 | Clause 5.2 |
| Safety signs | Section 5 | Clause 5.3 |
| Guards and guarding | Section 5 | Clause 5.4 |
| Lighting for truck operations | Section 5 | Clause 5.5 |
| Noise levels | Section 5 + Appendix D | Clauses 5.6, Appendix D |
| Atmospheric pollution | Section 5 | Clause 5.7 |
| Utility services — hazards | Section 5 | Clause 5.8 |
| Ground surface requirements | Section 5 | Clause 5.9 |
| Inclines / slopes | Section 5 | Clause 5.10 |
| Aisles and passageways | Section 5 | Clause 5.11 |
| Loading docks | Section 5 | Clause 5.12 |
| Bridgeplates | Section 5 | Clause 5.13 |
| Lifts — truck use | Section 5 | Clause 5.14 |
| Traffic management planning | Appendix A | — |
| Travelling backwards | Appendix F | — |
| Definitions / terminology | Section 1 + Appendix C | Clause 1.5, Appendix C |
Note: This skill covers AS 2359.2—2013 only. For truck design and general requirements, refer to AS 2359.1. For safety requirements and verification of trucks, refer to AS 2359.6. For truck terminology and definitions, refer to AS 2359.7. For WHS legislative requirements, consult the relevant WHS Act and Regulations for your jurisdiction.