Forklift maintenance important to safety

Dangers can range from slips, trips and falls, to collisions with material handling vehicles, and injuries resulting from degraded machinery. This can not only result in long-term harm to your employees, but also costly damage to warehouse equipment, and the items being handled.

No one wants their personnel to be at risk of injury, so the chances are that you already have a thorough safety plan in place. Nevertheless, here are a few handy tips for ensuring that forklift safety is kept under control.

The Importance of Forklift Safety

Forklift trucks are an indispensable asset within many warehouse settings, thanks to their sturdiness and versatility. However, they are also commonly linked to workplace casualties, being involved in an average of 1,500 accidents each year in the UK alone. Often, this is the result of inadequate training for forklift operators, or insufficient maintenance of the vehicle.

With this is mind, the first step is, of course, to ensure that all personnel have the correct training to operate forklift machinery. Training on forklift safety can also be beneficial to your entire workforce as it will help them recognise the potential harm that can be caused, and how best to avoid it.

Wear and Tear

The other primary factor is maintenance, another easy one to keep on top of. Hire an expert to carry out regular visual inspections of forks. It is already a legal requirement to have a thorough examination of your forklift machinery on an annual basis, but additional reviews throughout the year, and daily checks conducted by your team, will help to ensure that your vehicles remain in top condition.

One thing to bear in mind is that, even if only one prong of the fork is showing signs of wear, you will need to replace both, or send them to the manufacturer for repair. Indications that it may be time to replace your fork include cracks and warping, or signs that it has begun to wear away. While it may not seem like a lot, a 10 per cent reduction in the fork’s original thickness means it is time for a replacement, as this already amounts to a 20 per cent reduction in its load-bearing capacity.

Treat with Care

As we have already seen, the best way to prevent forklift accidents is to take good care of your vehicles. Regular maintenance, and the use of high-quality forks are large factors in this, but there are a few other changes you can make which could dramatically increase the lifespan of your machine, and eliminate some common workplace hazards.

For example, it may be tempting to lift a smaller load with only one fork. However, this causes uneven wear and unnecessary strain on the equipment, so all loads should always be lifted with both forks. Another mistake is to use forklift trucks for jobs they were not designed to do, such as moving lateral loads, or raising loads diagonally. Anything that causes the forklift to tilt should also be avoided, as this can either break the fork, or cause the vehicle to tip over completely, dropping its load and injuring its operator. Specialist forks are available for non-standard applications, such as upside-down use, or on rotators.

Keep an eye on tyres as well; they should have a “60J line” which indicates when they are down to their final 100 hours of use. This gives you a reasonable window within which to have them replaced. Ongoing maintenance of your warehouse floor can also prevent excessive wear and tear by reducing damage from potholes and uneven surfaces.

No D.I.Y Maintenance

It can be tempting to attempt a quick fix when a critical piece of equipment breaks down, but this can not only lead to more serious damage to the vehicle that may increase the chance of accidents. Furthermore, if an incident happens as the result of an inadequate repair job, you or your business might be found liable. Even if a fork is simply bent, send it to the manufacturer to straighten or replace it. Similarly, avoid drilling or welding the fork, as these processes can weaken its structure, causing it to warp or break.

Fortunately, if you are keeping on top of regular inspections, most issues can be detected and dealt with by a trained expert before they become serious. Similarly, if you require modifications to your forklift, professional experts can advise you as to the feasibility of your request, and see that it is undertaken safely and in keeping with national standards.

No Additional Passengers

Finally, it is vital that no one is lifted or supported on forks. Forklifts are not designed for such use, and there are no safeguards in place to protect such passengers in the event of an accident. This is one of a few final tips that might seem like common sense, but are important to look out for.

Another is to avoid debris on the warehouse floor; items such as loose packaging, sawdust, and sharp objects can cause damage to tyres and even block the vehicle’s filters and radiator. Keep forks lowered while in transit, but do not allow them to drag along the ground, and do not use them to lift high temperature materials such as molten metals.

Not all accidents can be foreseen, but the vast majority of dangers surrounding the use of forklifts within your warehouse are straightforward to mitigate. This means fewer incidents, less damage to your premises and equipment, and most importantly, a safe and productive workforce.

For more information and advice, please visit LindeAftersales.co.uk