Category Archives: Forklift Safety
When working in a warehouse, or for any business that owns and operates forklifts, taking proper safety precautions is of the utmost importance. Owners of forklifts need to ensure that operators are fully trained and authorized to work with the equipment in order to meet compliance standards. Additionally, work areas should be cleared of debris and clutter, to allow forklifts to move and operate freely. This helps reduce the number of injuries and keeps employers and employees aware of best practices for operation at all times.
If forklift safety plans are ignored, there are a number of potential consequences, including:
Damage to warehouse shelving or storage structure
Destruction of product
Property damage
Employee injuries
Damaged work area as a result of spills or broken shelving
Health hazards
In addition, overloading a forklift could cause it to tip over. Damaged products and equipment will end up costing your business more in repair and replacement costs, which can be avoided by taking the time to do the job the right way.
Forklift attachments should be inspected regularly so that repairs to broken forks and other equipment can be made immediately. Train all operators on your attachments and, when you add a new attachment, be sure to retrain all personnel. Know the mechanical limitations of each forklift, and change the capacity, operation, and maintenance instructions when a forklift is equipped with an attachment.
Forklift operators should remain safe when driving a forklift, and they should secure all products before transporting. Inspect the forklift before each use, and always ensure the travel path is free of obstructions before beginning a job.
Part of your job as a warehouse manager is to ensure that all of your equipment and machinery is in working order so that you can improve safety conditions for your employees and prevent accidents from happening. OSHA requires that daily pre-shift inspections of your powered industrial trucks, including forklifts, are completed to help achieve these goals. Before operating a forklift in your warehouse you want to perform a series of checks to make sure it is in working order.
With the engine off, check the condition and pressure of the tires. It is also important to inspect oil levels and see if the engine is leaking at all. The condition of the battery should also be noted so that it can be replaced if needed. Once your visual check is complete, ensure that all safety information and manuals can be easily accessed by the operator and that there is enough room above the forklift and in its path for it to be driven safely.
When you turn the engine on, the first thing you should do is listen for any unusual noises so that they can be immediately addressed. Check the brakes, steering, and gauges as well before driving the forklift. Other items that should get your attention include the forks, chain anchor pins, and hoses. If any of these appear to be worn or lose, immediate action should be taken. This will help you reduce risks to your forklift operator and help your team get their job done safely and efficiently.
The forklift operator should also check to make sure the forklift has a legible, accurate data plate that reflects the current configuration of the forklift, including any attachments being used. If the plate is missing or inaccurate, contact Professional Forklift Engineering Services, LLC at (843) 532-6469 or email at support@LiftTruckCapacityCalculator.com to get the data plate updated and the forklift re-certified.
The maximum weight data placard on forklifts should never be regarded as the maximum amount able to be lifted. There are several factors that affect the lifting capacity, which is often reduced for various reasons. It is important to remember the lifting capacity is based upon the load center.
Did you know you lose the weight-lifting capacity for every one inch beyond the actual load center? It is your responsibility to calculate the load center for any type of attachment used with the truck, including the original one. In addition, each time you switch attachments, it is essential to recalculate the load center and maximum load lift capacity of the forklift.
To learn more about the factors that affect the load center and load capacities, please feel free to continue reading the following infographic presented by Lift Truck Capacity Calculator. We can also provide assistance with determining the load center for a variety of attachments, as well as those that are worn by contacting us directly.
