Industrial lift trucks such as forklifts, straddle carriers, pedestrian-operated trucks and reach trucks belong to a family of machines that are primarily used to lift and transport goods and materials from one location to the next.
Used within warehouses, on construction sites, in storage yards and other facilities, these trucks improve and increase efficiency in the workplace. However, because they are such massive machines, their use carries a certain amount of risk.
Here, we’ll discuss how we can manage the risk factors regarding industrial lift trucks.
Managing Industrial Lift Truck Risks
· Identify Hazardous Conditions
Inspect the workplace in question and identify areas where the trucks will operate with other vehicles, fixed structures and pedestrians.
Educate your workers on what they should be aware when working near the trucks. Also, ask your workers to report any issues if they see a hitch in the operation, maintenance, repair or storage of the truck so you can have it handled early on.
· Assess the Risks
Review past injury records so you know what to be careful of, and use them to carry out risk assessments.
Most accidents involving such industrial lift trucks come from incidents where:
- The vehicle collides with another vehicle that’s working in the same area
- Materials fall on your workers during the loading and unloading process
- The truck tips over or if the operator is ejected from the truck
- There is a mechanical failure
A risk assessment will help you learn the extent of the damage, and give you a game plan to follow in case an accident does occur.
· Control Risks and Take Action
Let’s take an example of a crowded workplace. If there is a risk factor involved in using these trucks in such a workplace, find out whether pedestrians can be limited from using the area in question.
Eliminate the risks through practical solutions. Use safer trucks such as manually-powered lift trucks instead of forklifts. Use protective structures such as a falling object protective structure, or a roll-over protective structure.
If there’s still a risk, implement administrative limits and schedule the use of these trucks at a later time when there are less people. Make it a rule for your workers to wear protective equipment.
· Review Your Protective Measures
Make sure that everything is going according to plan.
Review your control measures regularly and make sure they are being followed effectively. If there are any administrative changes, incorporate that into the system and be sure that people are taking the nature of their work, and the safe use of these trucks seriously.
Buy Industrial Lift Trucks from Industrial Man Lifts
As a leading purveyor of commercial equipment and machinery,
Industrial Man Lifts has a variety of industrial lift trucks on offer.
We provide proper
information and instructions so you can choose the best platforms and lifts for your business.
To learn more about industrial lift trucks or
powered industrial trucks, and how to order machinery from a well-known supplier, contact us 727-490-8839 to get in touch with a representative.
