Before getting onto a forklift and using it, there are several safety steps that should be followed as a matter of habit to ensure that the forklift is not involved in any kind of safety incident.Whether you’re looking for affordable used forklifts for sale or rent for your upcoming project, keep yourself and fellow workers safe and ensure maximum uptime by following these safety steps.
Carry Out Daily Inspections Before Using Any Forklifts
Regular inspections should be carried out on all the forklifts in use, ideally on a daily basis, before operating them. This includes checking lubrication levels, the state of the forklift forks, ensuring the hydraulic system is not leaking, making sure the lights are clean and operational, checking the engine, and ensuring that all of its fluid reservoirs are filled.
Check that all warning and safety labels are intact, that the tyres are in good condition, and that the battery is operational and properly connected, among other things. The daily inspection should be a regular part of the routine and factored into the daily work schedule.
Carry Out A Daily Test
A visual inspection is important. However, even after the visual inspection is carried out, a test should be conducted to ensure that everything operates as expected. This test will include testing the brakes to ensure that they function as expected, as well as testing the functionality of the lights, the horn or hooter, and the steering wheel.
Carrying out regular and controlled tests on forklifts can help guarantee the safety of the operators and other people in the workplace.
Wear The Right PPE
No forklift operator should get on the forklift without first being properly decked out in personal protective equipment (PPE). Usually, this would include a hard hat, safety shoes, high-visibility clothing, and, if necessary, ear and eye protection. PPE is important in industrial and warehouse operations to prevent incidents from causing injury.
Wear A Seatbelt
This might seem obvious, but it is common for forklift operators not to wear seatbelts. However, this small detail is important, as seatbelts can not only protect forklift operators in the event of a collision but also ensure their safety in the case of accidental ejection. If their forklift accidentally tips over, a seatbelt can prevent the forklift driver from falling out and becoming injured or crushed under the equipment.
Training and Certification
Nobody should get onto a forklift and begin operating it without being properly trained and certified to do so. Training and certification are critical aspects of ensuring the safety of both the operator and other personnel in the area. It is also a legal requirement that could land your company in trouble should any incident occur with an unlicensed operator.
As such, all forklift operators need to undergo formal training and be evaluated by a qualified instructor to receive the proper certification before operating the forklift. Failure to do so could land your company in legal trouble and lead to safety incidents.
The Importance Of Having The Right PPE
We already mentioned that forklift driver PPE is critical for safety purposes. However, it’s important that you use your forklift PPE correctly, or else it could be more of a hindrance than a help.
Here are some useful pointers:
Make Sure It Fits
PPE can come in all different shapes and sizes. However, if you wear PPE that doesn’t fit you properly, it can actually be more harmful than helpful. When your PPE for forklift drivers is ill-fitting, it can hinder movement and make you extremely uncomfortable.
These issues can compromise your safety because you’re distracted and unable to respond as swiftly. Loose items could get caught in machinery, while overly tight gear could restrict your circulation.
To avoid this, make sure that you try on each piece of equipment, including the helmet, gloves, safety shoes, and high-visibility vest, to ensure that it’s a snug and comfortable fit.
Pro Tip: Opt for adjustable PPE wherever possible because it allows for a more customised fit.
Always Inspect The PPE Before Wearing It
If your forklift driver PPE is damaged, it can fail you when you need it most. Damaged PPE can lead to a false sense of security, leaving you vulnerable in high-risk situations.
Helmets should not have cracks or dents, while protective goggles should not be scratched to the point where visibility is reduced.
Any tears, holes, or frayed stitching in your gloves and high-visibility vests should disqualify them from use, as these can expose you to hazards and get caught in machinery.
Your footwear should also have ample traction underneath. If the soles are worn out or the steel toes are compromised, they should be discarded.
Pro Tip: Keep a log of PPE inspections so that you can detect damaged or worn PPE more quickly and avoid accidents
Make Sure You Have All The PPE Components
It doesn’t help to wear only some of the PPE. Missing even one piece of equipment can expose you to risks such as foot injuries, crush incidents, or visibility issues.
Typical forklift driver PPE would include a hard hat, a high-visibility vest, steel-toed boots, protective non-slip gloves, eye protection, and hearing protection, particularly when working in a noisy environment.
Pro Tip: Encourage employees to keep their PPE in a dedicated bag or locker so that they can avoid misplacing or losing any of the items.
Enhance Visibility If Possible
Forklifts operate in very busy environments where visibility and quick reactions are crucial for ensuring safety. Therefore, it’s a good idea to add reflective strips to your helmet, vest, and even your gloves if they don’t have them already. This can enhance visibility from all angles, especially in some of the more dimly lit areas of a warehouse.
Pro Tip: Spray an anti-fog coating on your safety goggles and consider wearing LED clip-on lights on your vest for added visibility.
If you are looking for affordable used forklifts for sale, First Forklifts is at your service. We have a wide variety of forklifts available. Contact us today to place an order.