Pallet Truck

Working With a Forklift Or Pallet Truck - Improve the Safety For Everyone
By Christine OKelly

A forklift may be different from pallet truck, but they all need added precautions to keep everyone safe. The machines themselves carry with them a significant risk, but maintenance and the loads they carry require certain safety precautions as well. Operator training is a first step, but it requires a conscious effort by the company, the operator, and all those around this equipment to ensure everything goes well.

Forklift Batteries

Batteries for this kind of equipment are identical to those found in any other vehicle. As such, they will need to be removed, replaced, and recharged from time to time. Because of the harmful substances they contain, this puts the individual working with them at risk of inhalation and contact problems from the liquid as well as the fumes they can give off.

Mechanical Malfunction

A forklift should be inspected before each shift to make certain that all of the safety equipment is in place and the machine is in good repair. Defective brakes, steering, or lifting components for example, could cause serious accidents. Tires are another important area to watch out for -- having uneven wears or flat sections causes the equipment to be unstable, risking potential problems with the load.

Collisions

Because of the loads and size of these items, a forklift and pallet truck can make it difficult to see what is on the other side. This leads to damage, injury, or even fatalities. Adding safety equipment such as a horn, lights, or backup warning can be quite helpful in busy areas. It is also best to take steps preventing pedestrian traffic where this equipment is used and instruct operators to drive the equipment backwards to make seeing easier.

Load Problems

Loads pose a dangerous habit because of their ability to fall or collapse. Teach the individuals loading the pallets how to pack items so that they are stable. You also want them to check the load before allowing the forklift in to move the load. One popular way to stabilize a load is to wrap everything together with stretch wrap. This is important with pallet jacks as well because of the possibility of jerking the load. The surface of the flooring should also be in good condition. Lastly, teach the operator to understand which loads can be stacked on top of each other and which ones cannot.

Whether you have a large warehouse in New York or a store in Illinois, forklift safety and caution when using pallet truck should be top on the priority list at all times.