If you rely on the daily operation of powered industrial trucks, safety needs to be front and centre at all times. Although forklifts are often essential for efficient operations, there are numerous potential hazards when using them that you should be aware of.Let’s take a brief look at some of those hazards here and how to navigate them appropriately.
Tip-Overs
Tip-overs are arguably the most common hazard when operating forklifts. When a tip-over occurs, damage to goods is common, but it can also cause serious injury or even fatalities.
Tip-overs typically happen when uneven loads are present or when the forklift operator executes sharp turns or operates the forklift on an uneven surface.
Proper training can help mitigate the risk of tip-overs, ensuring that operators know how to load the forklift appropriately and understand its centre of gravity. Loads need to be evenly distributed and remain within the forklift’s capacity, while operation on uneven surfaces should be avoided.
Collisions
Whenever you have moving machinery, collisions are an ever-present risk, whether between two vehicles, between a vehicle and a pedestrian, or between a vehicle and a static object.
To avoid collisions, forklift drivers need to operate their vehicles using mirrors and even cameras where possible to enhance visibility.
Designated pathways for forklifts should be laid out on-site to ensure the safety of pedestrians. Speed limitations for forklifts in certain areas should also be enforced with clear signage at all operation points.
Falling Loads
Another common risk of forklift operation is when a load gets dropped or falls from the forklift, posing a danger to both the operator and other nearby workers.
This risk can be overcome through training on how to execute proper loading techniques. This includes understanding how to properly secure and stack loads and ensuring that they are not stacked too high.
Operator Fatigue
Operators who are fatigued are more likely to cause accidents due to their decreased reaction times, poorer judgement, and inability to think clearly.
Shift management needs to be carefully handled to ensure that operators can take frequent breaks and that excessively long shifts are avoided.
As a leading supplier of high-quality powered industrial trucks, safety is important to us. Contact First Forklifts today to find out more about our top-rated forklifts for sale and hire.