Wondering how a forklift attachment might affect your skills? Regardless of whether you’re a pro at operating a forklift or you’re just starting essential training, adding an attachment takes the vehicle to a whole new level.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about forklift attachment safety, including standards, risks and training.
What Are the Safety Regulations for Forklift Attachments?
Any company handling materials, especially heavy-duty loads, must comply with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER).
Any lifting equipment, such as forklift attachments, should be inspected biyearly to ensure it is still safe to use. Does that mean forklift safety attachment is a legal requirement? Not particularly, but we highly recommend it.
Why Is It Important for Workers to Receive Training on Forklift Attachment Safety?
Even if you are not driving the forklift, it’s important to understand the risks, regardless of whether you are using a forklift attachment or not. Such risks include:
- Accidents and collisions
- Attaching equipment incorrectly
- Forklift tipping over
- Incorrectly loading pallets
- Ignoring regulations
- Not knowing where safety buttons are
- Not wearing the correct safety equipment
- Overloading pallets
- Using the wrong pallet, controls or attachment
- Walking underneath or on the forks
Receiving forklift attachment safety in its entirety is essential in any business operating forklifts. Even if you’re using it once per day, it’s better to take a day off for training than create a catastrophic accident.
What Should I Consider When Choosing a Forklift Attachment?
Before you make the decision of a buying a certain forklift attachment, here are some things to consider:
- Application: Choose based on your specific tasks and environment, such as lighter pallets for warehouses or heavy-duty loads for construction.
- Forklift compatibility: Ensure it matches your forklift’s make and model for safe operation. Otherwise, you could be putting your employees at higher risk.
- Maintenance: Factor in maintenance needs to ensure long-term reliability and how it benefits your environment. We always recommend going green when possible.
- Size: Balance functionality with manoeuvrability, especially in tight spaces, such as aisles or other employees passing you. The size also needs to match the load.
Using this quick guide will ensure you find the right forklift attachment for your vehicle. By using the wrong attachment, you may cause the forklift to tip over.
How Do Different Attachments Affect a Forklift’s Load Capacity and Stability?
The number one thing to note when choosing a forklift attachment is how it will affect the overall load capacity and stability of the vehicle. Ultimately, the capacity will be reduced due to the amount of central gravity lost. It will in no way increase the overall capacity.
Choosing the wrong attachment carries an abundance of risks, such as:
- Forks breaking
- Injured employees
- Pallets falling
- The forklift tipping
What Steps Should Forklift Operators Take in Case of Emergencies?
Forklift accidents account for 25% of all workplace injuries. You may find it entertaining seeing a video of an entire row of products fall and smash from high shelves due to a forklift collision, but the impact of this can be detrimental.
If you are ever in an emergency (or witness one) due to a forklift accident, you must:
- Halt operation of the vehicle
- Turn off the vehicle if possible
- Evacuate the room (especially when handling toxic chemicals)
- Leave any broken items (including the forklift) where the accident occurred
- Don’t move any badly injured employees unless necessary (moving them could cause further harm!)
- Call 999 if in the UK or your local emergency services for help
- If the accident isn’t big, simply clean any mess
- Report the situation and start insurance claim if necessary
Not all workplace accidents are detrimental, but if you find yourself at the hospital, it’s important to rest before returning to work. Operating a forklift with an injury is just likely to cause more trouble.
You should refer to the Health and Safety Authority for safety tips on how to reduce workplace accidents caused by forklifts. Additionally, if you ever find yourself trapped in a tipped-over forklift, here is what you should do.
New and Pre-Used Forklifts at Trucks Direct
Before you buy a new attachment or forklift, we recommend receiving forklift attachment safety first.
If you’ve already bought an attachment and unfortunately discovered it’s the wrong fit, why not consider investing in a brand new forklift? We have a durable range of forklifts suitable across all applications, be it a large construction site or a small warehouse. Alternatively, test out your new attachment on one of our forklift hires before you buy one.