Pallet truck safety advice is critical for smooth and efficient warehouse operations. Pallet trucks are one of the most common and used pieces of warehouse equipment in the UK. It is used primarily in the loading and unloading of large loads, allowing for easier and smoother transportation of goods. They are a popular machine as they only require basic training to achieve maximum results.
However, the pallet truck can be a leading cause of warehouse accidents. This is usually due to poor handling and can easily be rectified with the correct safety guidance. On average, in the UK, over 1,300 injuries are caused every year by pallet trucks and vehicles alike [1]. But not to worry! We have all of the pallet truck safety advice you could need.
Pallet Truck Safety Advice
We at Trucks Direct care about the safety of our customers, which is why we have compiled our top pallet truck safety advice. So that you can use your pallet truck to help get your job done safely and efficiently.
So read on for Trucks Direct’s top pallet truck safety advice.
Don’t exceed the load limit
One of the most important considerations when considering pallet truck safety is the load limit of the vehicle itself. Pallet truck load limits, or weight capacities, enable safe usage and help to prevent the truck from tipping over.
These limits are here for a reason and you should abide by them for maximum pallet truck safety. By overloading your pallet truck, you are putting yourself, other workers and other equipment at risk of injury.
A way to ensure that your pallet truck is not overloaded is by using a weighing scale or weight beams. These can weigh your load, and you can set off on your job safely.
Checking that your pallet truck is in safe, working order
This may seem like a tedious task, but it could be the one that prevents the biggest injuries.
Doing a thorough check on your pallet truck before usage is the optimal way to ensure it is running safely. If any part of the machine isn’t working as it should, you will have noticed it early and before any damage could be done. These checks are an easy way to help ensure pallet truck safety.
So what do you need to check before using your pallet truck?
- Visually inspect the truck for any cracks or damages that are obvious on the surface
- Raise the forks to check that the hydraulics are in the correct, working order
- Check for any hydraulic oil leaks on the forks
- Do a quick wheel inspection before usage, this is to check for flats.
Avoid operating your pallet jack on ramps and inclines
Good pallet truck safety includes avoiding using your pallet truck on ramps and inclines. This is because the load is better balanced when operated on a flat surface.
Of course, this is not always avoidable as many warehouses will have ramps and inclines. In this case, the operator of the manual pallet truck should position themselves behind the load, pushing upwards on the incline. This allows for much better control of the weight, and overall safer operation of the pallet jack.
For warehouse environments with frequent ramps and inclines, it is recommended that an electric pallet jack is used. These come with motorized lifting and are therefore better suited for the manoeuvring of a load on an upwards incline. Trucks Direct has a number of these available for purchasing both new and used. You can see our full range of electric pallet trucks here.
Ensure that your route is clear of obstructions
One of the more common hazards involving a pallet truck involves obstructions being in the way of the pallet jack’s route. By checking the route beforehand, you can prevent such problems. When inspecting your route, check for pedestrians, other trucks and anything else that could get in the way of your pallet truck’s route.
The obstructions, whatever they may be, should be dealt with accordingly to help clear up the route in the interest of pallet truck safety.
Safe storage of your pallet truck
The correct storage of your pallet truck can play a huge role in its safe usage of it around the workplace. Any business that uses one frequently should have a designated storage area for it within their facility, to ensure that it is out of the way and won’t interfere with other applications in the warehouse.
If a designated storage area is not possible, then the next best solution is to place the pallet truck as close to a wall as possible, to keep it out of the way. Additionally, take extra care to make sure that the forks of the truck are not sticking out away from the wall, as this could be a hazard in itself.
Final take
The importance of operating machines safely is vital in the workplace. Especially when using industrial machinery such as a manual pallet truck. However, adhering to the advice mentioned above will help to ensure the safe operation of your pallet jack, as well as the safety of others.
For both manual and electric pallet trucks, browse our website or enquire with the Trucks Direct team, today.
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