Choose the correct attachment
Picking up a load may seem like a simple manoeuvre, yet if not done properly, damage to the goods or injury can occur, says B&B Attachments.
If your company has a requirement to deal with heavy items, taking shortcuts could expose you to a large amount of risk. In extreme cases a badly executed lift using incorrect tools and poor planning can result in a major incident.
A recent incident reported by the Fork Lift Truck Association of a lift that was inadequately managed, cost one concrete solutions company £300,000 in fines, over £10,000 in costs and more alarmingly injury to a member of personnel.
This was due to a poorly planned unloading operation using a forklift truck. The incident occurred while a worker was removing wooden struts that concrete blocks had been resting on, slipped off the forks and fell onto the worker. This resulted in serious crush injuries to one of his legs, which eventually had to be amputated from the shin down.
Some companies overlook the importance of selecting the correct forklift attachment, or a collection of attachments, which is paramount when you require a forklift to do more than just lift and move heavy objects.
Mike Barton, MD at B&B Attachments says: “Attachments can be a huge benefit to any business that has the requirement to move, lift, layer pick, split loads or turn its products in a certain way. Not only do attachments improve safety but they also increase productivity by eliminating wasted time, space and man power during the material handling process.”