Forklift Safety Tips - Situational Awareness

In advance of International Forklift Safety Day, June 13^th, 2017, Stärke is releasing several forklift safety lists to help ensure that you, your employees and/or coworkers are as safe as possible while operating a forklift.  To start our series off, our first list covers an extremely important safety skill regardless of the application – that of situational awareness. 

Weighing in at several tonnes and 13+ feet in length, your average forklift becomes an imminent safety hazard if operated by a careless driver who is not aware of their surroundings at all times.  In a busy warehouse, for example, even a slight misstep can lead to thousands of dollars in damage to products and property, as well as serious bodily harm to other workers. 

In light of this risk, we recommend that you follow these tips to boost your situational awareness and help prevent forklift accidents:

• Pay attention to and follow any and all work site rules, policies and guidelines
• Only operate a forklift along designated roadways
• Observe all signs and warnings, particularly those indicating loading sites and clearance restrictions
• Know the combined height of the load, mast and overhead guard of the forklift whenever entering or exiting a doorway or building
• Maintain a safe distance from the edges of all loading docks or ramps
• Avoid bumps, uneven surfaces and slippery conditions
• Avoid loose objects on the ground, as these could cause you to lose control of the equipment or shift your load
• Always use your horn when approaching a corner, doorway or entrance
• Alert other operators and pedestrians of your whereabouts to avoid collisions

Just by following these basic tips, you can have a positive impact on the safety of your workplace.  Stay safe and remain vigilant!

Thank you for reading our blog. Please remember to +1, like, share, comment and follow if you enjoyed this post!

www.starkeforklift.com

Local: (905)-227-7554  |  Toll free: 1-877-435-4352

Top Mistakes to Avoid While Operating a Forklift

Each and every year, forklift-related accidents result in hundreds of workplace injuries throughout Canada and the U.S. With international forklift safety day coming up next month, we've compiled a list of common mistakes to watch for while operating a forklift:

Insufficient or Improper Training
Every company is responsible for ensuring that only competent and properly trained individuals operate a forklift. While a wide array of 3^rd party training programs currently offer forklift safety and awareness certification, these courses do not include the practical training necessary to operate a forklift. Once an employee receives their safety and awareness certificate, it is the responsibility of the employer to provide supervised training on the equipment in question and in the specific environment where it is being used. 

Failure to Pay Attention to Surroundings
Some of the most common workplace accidents involving forklifts occur when a hapless operator makes incidental contact with racks, shelves, guardrails and other obstructions (YouTube's Forklift Fails). For this reason, it is essential that you pay close attention to your surrounding and note any potential obstructions or hazards. Using a forklift with an open view mast helps to reduce potential blind spots while increasing visibility. 

Operating Defective Equipment
Safety awareness and accident prevention needs to begin before an operator starts, or even enters, a forklift. Perform a pre-operation inspection on your machinery to spot loose hoses/fittings and other safety hazards before they become an issue or result in equipment failure. 

Reckless Driving 
Whether it is driving too fast, being aggressive with an elevated load or coming too close to platform and ramp edges, reckless driving greatly increases the likelihood of accident. Always be aware of your surroundings, the dangers associated with operating industrial machinery, and never engage in risky behaviours for the sake of effort or expediency. 

Visit Stärke online for more information and safety tips. 

www.starkeforklift.com   

Local: (905)-227-7554  |  Toll free: 1-877-435-4352

Unloading and Loading - Forklift Safety Tips

Forklifts have become an indispensable component within supply chain management and logistics. Whether it is within a retail, manufacturing or warehouse environment, forklifts perform an essential service by lifting and transport loads throughout the worksite. Since these actions are performed dozens of times every day, it is common for workers to grow accustomed to the dangers associated with the operation of a forklift. To ensure the safety of the forklift operator and those around them, try to follow these safety tips for loading and unloading a forklift:

Know Your Equipment

Before you begin operating your forklift, be sure to familiarize yourself with the vehicle. It is important to know the rated capacity of the forklift (found on the data plate), the capacity of the forks, and the recommended load center. Operating a forklift outside of these recommended restrictions seriously compromises the stability and safety of the equipment and is not advisable.

Positioning the Load

Using the information on the forklift’s data or spec plate, position the load according to the forklift’s recommended load center. Before inserting the forks, level and adjust the height of the forks relative to the pallet or load and move the mast into an upright position. If loading from a trailer or railway car, ensure that the proper supports (wheel chocks, fixed jacks, etc.) are in position to prevent the any additional movement and make sure the floors will be able to support the combined weight of the forklift and load.

Raising and Transporting the Load

Before raising the load, check your surroundings for overhead obstructions or power lines. With the brake applied, lift the load directly upwards to the required height for transport before tilting the mast. Once raised, constantly scan your surroundings for potential hazards or obstructions (keeping the blind spots in mind) as a raised load compromises the stability of a forklift. As you reach your eventual destination, come to a controlled and complete stop before returning the mast to an upright position and lowering the forks.

When working on or near a forklift, stay alert and prepare for the unexpected. For additional help, tips, advice or training, contact your local Stärke dealer today! For Canadian residents, please visit the Stärke Canada dealer page. For U.S. residents, please visit the Stärke USA dealer page.

www.starkeforklift.com   

Local: (905)-227-7554  |  Toll free: 1-877-435-4352