Warehouse Safety Hazards: Forklifts

There are many hazards associated with working in a warehouse, especially for those not practicing proper forklift safety in Abilene, TX. In fact, fatal injuries involving forklifts make them among the most dangerous equipment workers can operate. About 100 workers are killed every year while operating forklifts alone, and 95,000 are injured each year. The good news is that many of these accidents are preventable. 25 percent of forklift accidents are the result of inadequate training, and 42 percent of fatalities are caused by a forklift tipping over. Make sure you’re following these safety tips in your warehouse to avoid injuries:

• Training: Everyone operating a forklift should be properly trained and certified before nearing this dangerous equipment. You’ll also want to evaluate the operating practices of those who have been certified to make sure they are operating the forklift safely.
• Ongoing education: Safety standards and regulations do change, so you want to make sure that you are continuing education in forklift operation and safety with all employees who may operate the forklift even on rare occasions.
• OSHA: OSHA has specific standards for warehouse and forklift safety, and you want to make sure that you and everyone who works in your warehouse is aware of them and stays up to date on new rules.
• Regular examinations: Before anyone uses a forklift, they need to examine it to make sure it’s in good operating order and does not have hazardous conditions that might make it unsafe to operate. This should be done every time the machine is used. All forklifts should be properly maintained and undergo regular maintenance and inspections, including their tires.
• Safe operation: All forklift operators need to follow the prescribed safe procedures for picking up, putting down and stacking loads as well as driving. Operators should never drive faster than five miles per hour, and even slower in congested areas. Drivers should never drive up to a person standing in front of a fixed object like a wall or stacked products, and they should never engage in horseplay.
• Age limits: No one under 18 should be allowed to operate the forklift, even if they are a warehouse employee and have been trained and certified.
• Load limit: Operators should never attempt to handle loads that are heavier than the weight capacity of the forklift.
• Seat belts: It’s important that, even at slow speeds, drivers and all operators wear the seat belt installed by the manufacturer.

If you’re practicing proper forklift safety in Abilene, TX, you should be able to rest easy that an accident is unlikely to occur. If you’re looking for a place to purchase a forklift for your warehouse or operation, V-Bar Equipment Company sells and services forklifts, forklift telehandlers, boom lifts and scissor lifts. We also rent equipment and sell parts for all the products we service. We’re your go-to destination for sales, maintenance, parts and rentals and can handle any needs, big or small. Give us a call today to see what we have to offer!

Categorised in: Forklift Training

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