Preparing For Forklift Use During The Winter

We are all aware of the risks of driving motor vehicles on the highways and byways of the United States. The same risks are present when operating forklifts in such conditions. Forklifts are not only used indoors in warehouses and distribution centers. They are also used outdoors to assist with construction and other tasks. Of course, the winter months is when many regions of the country are susceptible to snow or icy conditions that cause accidents that can damage forklifts and injure those who operate them. Moreover, pedestrians who may be in the area in which forklifts are being used could be in danger of injuries due to forklift accidents.

So, it is wise for companies that rely on forklifts during the winter to observe safety tips and cautions.

Things to consider when initiating safe forklift operation during the winter include:

• Pre-winter checks
• Training of Staff
• Maintenance of forklifts during winter
• Assuring that forklift operators are prepared for the cold.
• Maintaining walkways and pedestrian areas during winter

Pre-Winter Checks

It is always a good idea to regularly check and maintain your forklift trucks, but it is especially important to do so during winter. Such checks and maintenance can help limit repair time that results in down time and repair costs. Don’t forget that it is not just ice and snow that can affect a forklift. Cold temperatures can do so as well. It is recommended that you plan a thorough winter inspection of your forklifts leading up to the start of as well as during the winter.

Keep in mind that electric forklifts can lose as much as 25 percent to 50 percent in cycle times during cold weather. Harsh temperatures affect battery electrolytes, causing them to thicken. This will affect its ability to achieve chemical reaction needed to power a lift. Also keep in mind that cold temperatures cause hard starts that require more fuel to operate. If a tank is low in fuel, condensation can form inside, causing the forklift to sputter and even stop.

Training Staff

You are no doubt aware of the practice of keeping your forklift drivers well trained. This not only includes training when new operators are hired, but also includes regular refresher training courses for all forklift operators. These training sessions should be held in the winter to prepare drivers for what they will encounter.

Maintenance of Forklifts During Winter

A good maintenance program is essential to assure that your forklifts stay in good working order during the day-to-day routine of a job. This is no less important during wintertime. Parts break down due to wear and tear, but cold temperatures can also affect the internal workings of a lift.

Not only thorough checks of forklifts are essential on a daily basis, but proper habits should be experienced by the driver including remembering to warm up the engine of the forklift before proceeding, checking the hydraulics to assure that they are in proper condition, and make sure the oil is properly circulated before tackling the daily tasks.

Assure That Forklift Operators Are Prepared For The Cold

You may have not heard of “cold stress.” It is a medical term that describes how temperature of a person’s skin can drop too low. This affects the body’s ability to maintain normal temperature. If left untreated, it can cause serious health problems including frostbite and hypothermia. So make sure the forklift operators are wearing the proper clothing to deal with severe temperatures. Make sure drivers are warm and comfortable while during work outdoors in winter. To assure this, it may be a good idea to install forklift cabin heaters for the winter.

Maintaining Walkways And Pedestrian Areas

It is not uncommon for employees to slip, trip, or fall due to the condition of the surface on which they walk. And when snow and ice become part of the problem, then maintenance of walkways and pedestrian areas is even that much more important.

Identify areas that could be susceptible to adverse weather conditions. This would include entrances, parking lots, walkways, sloped areas, and places that are in shade.

Remove ice and snow as well as other hazards that could cause a risk in the safe operation of equipment. Use signage and cones to mark unsafe areas, cover walkways or use an insulating material on smaller areas when needed. Be sure to correctly grit areas that could be susceptible to the weather with salt or some other form of de-icing material. Be prepared to take these precautions by keeping track of weekly weather forecasts.

(Sources: hfliftrucks.co.uk, prolifttoyota.com, and goodsenseforklift.com)