What is a recommended practice when braking on a slippery surface?

Using gentle braking on a slippery surface is recommended because it helps maintain better control of the vehicle and reduces the risk of skidding. When the surface is wet, icy, or otherwise slippery, hard braking can cause the wheels to lock up, leading to a loss of traction. This can result in the forklift skidding out of control, making it difficult to steer and increasing the chances of an accident.

Gentle braking allows for a gradual decrease in speed, which is crucial for maintaining traction between the tires and the surface. This approach gives the driver more time to react to changing conditions and helps prevent sudden movements that could lead to losing control of the forklift. It's about ensuring safety and stability while navigating potentially hazardous surfaces.

The other options, such as braking hard, turning off the engine, or skidding to a stop, would not provide the same level of safety, as they either increase the risk of losing control or are not effective strategies for managing a vehicle on a slippery surface.