Forklifts are used in various industries including construction. Many of you might have seen the forklifts being used on various sites. It is known as an industry vehicle that consists of a power-operated forked platform attached in the front. It is largely used in storage facilities and warehouses. The forklifts are powered by combustion engines or electric batteries. These vehicles were invented in the 20th century and have become part of operations in many industries. Herewith some of the forklifts the operator can sit and drive while some of them only get the space where the operator can stand and operate the machine.
The forklift comprises various components that include Counterweight, TruckFrame, Carriage, Power Source, and Mast. The counterweight is known as the cast-iron weight which is attached to the forklift and helps to balance the load. If using the electric forklift then it is fixed with the lead-acid battery. The truck Frame is known to be the vital component of the forklift which forms the base of the vehicle. Talking about the power source, it consists of an internal combustion engine which can be fueled by the CNG, LPG, or natural gas. Carriage forms the base of the vehicle and it is fixed on the mast rails so that it can move easily. The mast is the vertical part of the vehicle that helps to push the load up and down. It consists of interlocking rails that provide horizontal control.
How does a forklift work? Forklift generally works with the help of two mechanisms that include pair of hydraulic cylinders, pair of roller chain pulleys, and controls. These are mostly used on construction sites, warehouses, recycling operations, dockyards, and snowplows. Since there could be an accident if the forklifts are not used properly. Most of the companies opt for forklifts hire basis. Hence it is important to follow a few of the safety instructions for the safety of an operator as well as of pedestrians. There are few things that one needs to keep in mind while operating the forklift to assure safety. Here is the list.
Wear right clothing
If you are a forklift operator then it is mandatory to wear the right clothing. Most of the forklift operator clothing comes with safety shoes, safety equipment, high visibility jacket, and hard hats. It is important to keep well-fitted clothes while operating the forklift as the loose clothes can get caught in the machine while operating the vehicle and cause an accident. Apart from this make sure to keep your hands and shoes completely dry before operating the vehicle.
Get the forklift certified
You might have heard of many forklift accidents. Generally, most of these are due to poor training. Hence it is recommended to allow only operators who are trained and licensed as per the OSHA standards to operate the forklift. Being an employer, it is also important to evaluate the operator’s performance once in three years. You can also provide supplement training with the help of various software training, lectures, videos, or demonstrations.
Inspect the forklift frequently
It is advised to inspect your forklift every before getting it for usage. You can get it checked with the help of a supervisor to identify or log any issue related to the vehicle. You can conduct few checks related to test operating controls like lights, horns, overhead guard, check mast, fluid level, tires, water, oil, brakes, and other potential hazards.
Maintain the visibility
It is important to keep the forks low to the ground to maintain visibility. If you are facing issues related to visibility then it is advised to operate it in the reverse direction. Always make sure to maintain eye contact with the pedestrians and look in the direction of the travel. You can also use the rear-view mirrors to improve visibility. If you are working at night then you can use the headlights.
Implement the floor marking system
Using the floor marking system helps to work safely. There are various signs and instructions that you can use while operating the vehicle such as yellow marks for physical hazards or red for fire hazards. You can also use the way finders and other signs in all over the site to keep the pedestrians away from the path that ensures maximum safety.
