By Jason Gaydos, Product Manager for Truck-Mounted Forklifts, Palfinger North America
If you search the internet for “forklift safety,” the results that appear first are often articles about common forklift accidents and how to prevent them. This advice is important, but what if we were able to apply preventative measures in the process, like before a truck-mounted forklift was ever purchased?
When shopping for equipment, it is easy to get caught up in the immediate promises of power and lift range instead of digging into any safety-related features. In the long-term, however, the two most critical elements of the forklift’s longevity and performance are the safety features and the operator.
Why is this important to you and your operators? Consider the following: For fiscal year 2023, OSHA reported that forklifts (powered industrial trucks) are fifth on the list of Top 10 most frequently cited standards. OSHA also estimates an average of 87 fatalities and 35,000 to 62,000 forklift-related injuries each year.
A few must-have safety features for truck-mounted forklifts include:
Ground control
Anecdotally, insurance professionals working with industries utilizing truck-mounted forklifts will tell you that operators slipping and falling, especially in rainy or snowy conditions when the forklift is elevated, is a major cause of claims. Actions like climbing up and down the rig and checking fluids become less hazardous at ground level.
All-wheel brakes
The industry standard for truck-mounted forklifts has long been a single brake on the steering wheel. Look for brakes on all three wheels for two-thirds more stopping power.
Fuel tank refill
Refuelling equipment can create additional hazards for operators. This is particularly the case if operators must climb or drag a heavy diesel fuel hose and nozzle over the forklift or raise the fuel nozzle above their shoulders to refuel at the station when it is mounted on the back of the transport. When sourcing equipment, look for models that have a fuel fill cap that is about waist high, located on the driver side of the forklift.
Service and support
Regular and specific maintenance of your truck-mounted forklift helps avoid potential problems. By implementing a maintenance schedule along with a daily pre-trip inspection per the operator manual guidelines, you can minimize downtime and reduce the risk of accidents. If you are in the market for a truck-mounted forklift, check out the service and support options available by the authorized dealer for the manufacturer in your area. Ensure your operators follow a thorough pre- and post-trip checklist and encourage them to report and address any issues immediately.
Ergonomics
A comfortable operator is a safe operator. Given this, look for features like ample foot room with motion and engine accelerator pedals ergonomically level with one another, no steering wheel column to obstruct feet, and an overall spacious operator cab with 360-degree panoramic views. In short, even the slightest variations (or modifications) can help operators perform at the highest, most efficient levels possible. For example, Palfinger offers truck-mounted forklifts that utilize a standard seat that swivels 25 degrees outwards for easy entry and exit while incorporating an intuitive closed operator side safety guard. This eliminates any misuse and is one less task for the operator to perform. Once seated, the five-degree inward seat position reduces body movement and neck strain when travelling in reverse.
Fork carriage
For operator safety and work efficiency, see through visibility is important and is often overlooked when it comes to fork carriages. At a minimum, look for equipment that offers a Class IV opening with Class III ITA boards, as this combination offers the operator excellent visibility of both the forks and load.
The operator is also responsible to ensuring the truck-mounted forklift is operated safely. Operator must-haves for safety include:
Proper PPE
Ensure that your operators have the proper PPE to meet your requirements and those of the worksites where they may be making deliveries. Common PPE includes hard hats, reflective vests, safety gloves and safety-toed footwear.
Informed co-workers
The operator can follow all procedures, but a distracted pedestrian ignoring a blind spot or wandering into the path of a forklift can spell disaster. Ensure all employees or contractors are trained in forklift safety and aware of possible operational hazards. In addition, we recommend your equipment incorporates as much safety-related lighting as possible. This is why Palfinger offers Department of Transportation-approved lighting for headlamps with high and low beams, rear taillights, side markers, four amber safety flashing lights, bright LED work flood lamps on top of the ROPS, and a 360 round amber safety beacon with a reverse activated back up alarm on all truck-mounted forklifts.
Respect the load
Proper distribution and handling of the load, including management of starts, speed and stops, are essential to avoiding mishaps that can damage equipment, property and people.
Everyone needs to know and adhere to the limits of the machine.
That is why your operator must be trained and certified to operate a rough terrain forklift to understand, amongst other things, the forklift stability triangle in addition to all the safety aspects that come along with operating a truck-mounted forklift on uneven ground.
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What has been shared is not an exhaustive list of safety tips, but the most common areas of concern and potential oversight.
There are many performance considerations when purchasing a truck-mounted forklift, as productivity and uptime are also critical to your operation.
So, as you are testing equipment and comparing features and benefits, be sure to also ask about service and support, safety features and operator ergonomics to ensure the long-term functionality of your forklift.
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