April 9, 2018
OSHA requires that companies certify their forklift operators every three years. But what about forklift trainer qualifications? What makes these persons “qualified” to certify others?
1/25/18
Consider the following scenario: Your supervisor asks you unload a piece of machinery off a truck. When you get there you find out that the load is a few hundred pounds heavier than your truck’s capacity. But it would be well within the capacity of two lift trucks. Can you suspend the load from both trucks and complete the task?
Dec 12, 2017
With winter rapidly approaching it is time to think about how changes in weather, etc. can impact the safe operation of forklifts in three key areas.
Aug 29, 2017
Fork extensions can both solve and create load handling problems. They allow operators to handle wider loads, but they change the load center which affects stability and capacity. Why do extensions change the truck’s capacity?
Apr 5, 2017
Traditional open-style loading docks should always be a concern for safety managers since there is nothing to prevent a forklift from driving off the edge of the dock.
Jan 23, 2017
A van moving or shifting while loading or unloading can cause a whole series of expensive problems.
Jul 28, 2016
Every load has unique characteristics that an operator needs to take into consideration before moving it. Transporting liquids offers a prime example.
Jul 11, 2016
Forks that break or show excessive wear pose a serious hazard. Fortunately a thorough pre-use fork inspection can identify these deficiencies before they cause accidents.
Jun 8, 2016
Central to the safe operation of a lift truck is understanding the factors that affect stability. When it comes to telehandlers, many of these factors come into play, but there are a few more to consider that are specific to telehandler stability.
May 4, 2016
OSHA generally requires that lift trucks which handle small objects or un-banded units have a vertical load backrest of sufficient height, width, and strength to prevent the load or any part of it from falling toward the operator.
Apr 5, 2016
It’s been said that necessity is the mother of invention. So when forklift operator’s are faced with moving a variety of unusual material they have come up with innovative ways to accomplish the task. One of these ways is what is often called free rigging.
Jan 6, 2016
As a forklift operator you may not pay much attention to the fork length because they are the same length every day when you get on your forklift. But there are several principles involving fork length that you should keep in mind.
Dec 7, 2015
As manufacturers develop new safety features, operators need to understand how these systems work and how they might be affected by these changes. A perfect example is the Operator Presence System (OPS) which uses a sensor in the operator’s seat to detect the presence of the operator. Forklifts manufactured after November 1, 2005 are required to be equipped with an OPS .
Nov 4, 2015
In safety we understand that if something can be done, it will be done eventually. So if it’s possible for a truck to pull away when being loaded by a forklift, it will happen. You can find videos showing trucks pulling away on YouTube and on regulatory websites there are plenty of case studies. So, how do you keep a truck driver from driving off during the loading process?
Sep 30, 2015
Forklifts can exhibit little problems or big problems. When you have a problem with your equipment, should you shutdown or keep working?
Aug 27, 2015
It’s not uncommon for contractors to use the host company’s forklifts. But is this a good practice? Before you decide answer these four questions.
Jul 29, 2015
A forklift written program is an essential tool for developing safe behaviors in the workplace. They provide a semi-permanent reference that ensures everyone is following the same set of rules which are specific to that work location. The next time you review your written program, see if it addresses these five key points.
Jun 9, 2015
Operators need to know that most forklifts have a three-point suspension which results in a stability triangle, and it’s the operator’s job to keep the center of gravity (CG) within this triangle. But the CG is constantly changing as the forklift and the load are moved, raised and lowered. The closer the center of gravity gets to the edge of the triangle the more likely the unit is to tip, especially in the case of a sudden turn or deceleration.
May 6, 2015
Have you ever been tempted to exceed a forklift’s capacity? Even by just a little bit? In this article we look at the pros and cons of exceeding forklift capacity.
Mar 26, 2015
When was the last time you looked at the forklift data plate? Is it scratched? Corroded? Missing? While some operators believe their equipment can carry any load that doesn’t lift the rear wheels off the ground, they’re wrong. Operating equipment beyond the limits specified almost guarantees an incident or near miss. So let’s take a closer look at the data plate and see what we can learn.