A Look At 4 Must-Know Forklift Hazards

If your operations involve the use of forklifts, there are a number of hazards that are associated with forklift operations that you have to know. It is important for all your forklift operators to be aware of all known hazards in order to minimize or eliminate incidents of accidents around work sites and the workplace. Such knowledge mitigates the risk of injuries, property and equipment damage, as well as legal issues. It is also important to make sure that you are getting forklift oem parts, especially when you go for used forklift parts. In this blog, we look at 4 common risks associated with forklift operations, including loads, attachments, work environment, and pedestrians.

Forklift Attachments

Forklift use different specially designed attachments to execute different tasks. Some of the attachments include rotators, drum clamps, paper-roll clamps, and carton clamps. These and push-pull elements have the potential to impact the forklift’s capacity in a variety of ways that include:

• The added weight introduced by the attachment can change the capacity of the forklift. The capacity of the load you can carry is proportionately reduced according to the weight of the attachment.
• The addition of attachments can impact the clearance of the forklift by adding to its length and width
• The addition of attachments also impacts a forklift’s stability and center of gravity

Loads

There are various load-carrying hazards that include but are not necessarily restricted to:

• Stacking and unstacking on racks
• Loads of hazardous materials
• Unstable loads
• Carrying loads when the forks are extended too high
• Hauling loads that block visibility of where you are going
• Working around loading docks

Work Environment

The conditions that exist in the work environment where forklifts operate can give rise to forklift hazards. Common examples include:

• Poor lighting

• Working in a place with ramps
• Working on dirt or gravel
• Working and braking on slippery ground/floors
• Use of a combustible fuel in a poorly-ventilated area
• Congested work spaces
• Pits in the floor

Pedestrians

Pedestrians are involved in many forklift accidents. Some of the common scenarios that often result in accidents include:

• Ferrying passengers on the forklift truck
• Operating with an obstructed view
• Speeding, which results in the failure of the forklift to stop in time to avoid foot traffic
• Not being aware of the presence of pedestrians in the work area

Always Put Safety First

Make sure that all operators are educated on all known hazards associated with the operation of forklift trucks. Apart from the operators playing their part in ensuring safety, it is important to ensure that when shopping for used CAT Forklift Parts, Toyota forklift parts, or Hyster forklift parts, go for dealers that test them before putting them on the market and provide some form of warranty. Always buy new or used forklift parts from reputable dealers.