Why is Forklift Safety Important?
Jun 09, 2021
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Forklifts are vital to many industries. They allow companies to carry out their business more effectively by transporting and arranging goods across the warehouse. Industries like construction, manufacturing, and food service rely heavily on the forklift. To avoid safety hazards that could lead to injury or even death, forklift safety is an important topic that must be addressed. There is a wide selection of safety lights at Forklift Safety Solutions on the market today to increase your workplace safety precautions.Forklift Safety Requirements
In the United States, forklifts are required to have safety features such as lights, high-backed seats ("cushion" seats), and audible bell warnings. Newer U.S. regulations also provide for a time limit for how long a forklift operator must wait before starting up the vehicle again.
The forklift is often regarded as one of the most dangerous industrial vehicles. There have been several incidents involving forklifts that have resulted in serious injury or death. Such accidents are often the result of operator error as well as mechanical failure. However, some incidents are caused by the operator's actions or lack thereof.
Operators and Safety
If you are responsible for the safety of forklifts, you must understand the hazards that a forklift can pose. An important aspect of forklift safety is the operator. Operators who aren't informed about safe practices and precautions can lose their lives due to a forklift crash. On the other hand, an informed operator can prevent accidents from occurring to begin with. When attending a new-hire orientation, it's useful to inform new employees about how dangerous operating a forklift can be.
Avoiding Forklift Accidents
Forklift accidents can be avoided if companies take the proper steps to maintain a safe work environment. Forklift safety can become a top priority for any organization. The first step would be to get trained and certified forklift operators. These individuals will understand the importance of staying safe when operating a forklift. They also need to undergo regular maintenance training to keep their equipment in tip-top shape at all times.
The Importance of Regular Safety Training
A forklift operator should always be aware of the set safety regulations and plan accordingly. Whether using their forklift indoors or outdoors, they must make sure they have sufficient lighting and weather protection. Forklifts often have blind spots, so it is crucial that an operator is alert of surroundings at all times. Forklifts should never be used in poor weather conditions or at night.
Additionally, forklift safety training should be offered to all employees who operate a forklift regularly. Training will not only affect the individual but their coworkers as well. The company will be able to identify unsafe behaviors and allow for proper training as needed. When employees are educated on how to best work safely with the equipment, they can become more cautious and careful to prevent accidents.
Conducting Forklift Safety Education
Forklift education can be conducted in a variety of ways. Most commonly, companies use a combination of classroom study and hands-on demonstrations. Typically, the classroom setting will cover topics like forklift safety, how to operate the equipment, and various other crucial lessons.
These training sessions will occur under the watchful eye of an experienced trainer who will guide trainees through practical activities that teach them how to implement what they have learned from the training courses.
Requirements for Forklift Operators
In the United States, a forklift driver must have a commercial driver's license and be certified either by an approved state or regional program. The American National Standards Institute also created a standard for forklift safety in 2002, ANSI B56.1-2001, "American National Standard for Powered Industrial Trucks—Safety Requirements."
This standard specifies the number of safety features and operating practices to be followed by operators of forklifts in factories and warehouses where they are in use. In addition to the ANSI B56.1-2001 standard, various states have created their own training programs to comply with the federal OSHA regulations.
Operating in Closed-Loop Systems
Forklifts generally operate in a closed-loop system on factory floors. The lift trucks are usually made of steel, and the forklift's chassis is either constructed of steel beams or high-strength concrete.
Most factories have strict safety procedures for employees working with forklifts, usually consisting of wearing hard hats, safety glasses, and some type of hard surface shoe covers or foot protection. The forklift is usually not operated in an open warehouse but rather by a member of the production line.
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