A forklift, or its more fancy name, a powered industrial truck, is mostly used in manufacturing and warehouse environments. Typically, these pieces of machinery are used to move various materials, but they are also used for stacking, raising, lowering, and rearranging large objects [or packages of small objects] onto pallets or into boxes; Things we can’t lift ourselves, they’ve got covered. A common mistake that is made when one finds themselves in a need of some heavy-lifting help, is to just go with any ol’ forklift. And yes, it might ‘get the job done,’ but if you make the right decision in choosing the appropriate forklift, it will get the job done safely, properly, and with the most ease. The lift truck piece is highly-customized, and different designs work for different materials that are in need of moving. Just because someone you know has used a particular forklift for one thing, doesn’t mean that it’s also right for you.
Not only can forklifts be operated hands on by a driver, but also by means of a large remote control used by an operator standing by. Each type of truck has its own dangers though, which is one of the most important reasons to make sure you are choosing the appropriate one for the task at hand. While a sit-down, counterbalanced high-lift rider truck is more likely to end up in a falling load incident, a motorized hand truck is a lot less likely to be involved in said accident. Obviously, more than just the truck can create hazards, as workplace environments themselves can be at fault for various dangers. Some of the most common dangers involving the combination of a forklift and a workplace environment include: lift trucks being inadvertently driven off of loading docks; lifts falling between docks and an unsecured trailers; workers being struck by a lift truck; or workers falling while on elevated pallets and/or tines.
The specs of the forklift are not typical, in accordance with there being no typical customer. A forklift has different specifications that should be identified to match with the environment and materials it will be working amongst. Many times, a warehouse will have various moving tasks to be completed, and a single forklift with specific specifications can’t cover it all. Depending the height of the shelves, the width of the pathways and aisles, the layout of the building, whether it’s outdoor or indoor, etc., are all various environmental factors that need to be considered when selecting a forklift with the accommodating specs. For example, whether or not a forklift will be used for outdoors or indoors should be stated as to the type of tires and the type of power [battery, electric, or fuel (diesel)]. Another environmental factor is the lighting that is available in the facility; if you’re working indoors in a facility that might not have an immense amount of light, it might be best to have a forklift with headlights.
Although efficiency might come as a second important priority, safety comes first. If you are working with machinery or any heavy materials, there are inevitable hazards. This is why it’s important to not contribute any added danger by choosing the wrong forklift for the job. If you are in search of forklift rentals in Dallas or Fort Worth, here at Ace Equipment, we can help. Please, contact us today, and let us help you get the job done while keeping you as safe and efficient as possible.
