Beware of lending your forklift to a neighbour
Posted: February 27, 2012 Filed under: Forklift Supervisor Leave a comment »This one is for managers to think about. We all like to be good neighbours but what if the warehouse next door wants to borrow your forklift (because their own is broken, perhaps)? Are their operators trained? Who is liable if their operator has an accident on your machine? While a good neighbour does not bring in a lawyer to draft a contract for this kind of exercise, some questions should be asked before you just say yes.
Using attachments on your forklift
Posted: February 27, 2012 Filed under: Forklift Equipment Safety, Forklift Operator Safety Leave a comment »If you use a special attachment on your forklift – like a carpet pole, boom, clamp, etc. – remember you need to be trained to use this and that the capacity and stability of your forklift is reduced. You should consult the manufacturers of the forklift and the attachment.
Pre use inspections of your forklift
Posted: February 15, 2012 Filed under: Forklift Equipment Safety Leave a comment »When you get on a plane you hope that it has been checked over before take-off.
Forklifts and scissor lifts must be inspected before use as well. This involves a visual check and then an operational check. It doesn’t need to take long but it does need to be done and documented. The best way to ensure this becomes a regular and meaningful activity is to keep a binder of checklists on or near the machine. Operators are responsible for doing this and supervisors are responsible for making sure it is done.
Why do it? Same reason as the pre-flight check on the plane, to make sure everything is operating correctly and that the forklift is safe to use.
For more useful forklift safety resources: http://www.martinsforklift.com/forklift%20safety.htm
“Experienced, smart worker” drowns in forklift, Western Stevedoring fined $145,000
Posted: February 5, 2012 Filed under: Forklift Operator Safety Leave a comment »This extraordinary accident happened in North Vancouver in May 2010. More information became available in court last week. It really makes you think.
