Summer Safety For Forklift Operators
- First Access Inc
- May 21, 2018
- 2 min read
Summers are often busy for forklift operators and orders for forklift rental in New Jersey also increase two-fold. Amplified orders are the standard, overtime hours generally peak during summers, and the unique challenges & demands of outdoor forklift operations demand attention to security practices to prevent mishaps.
Being a forklift driver, the employer is accountable for ensuring you’re kept safe and not subjected to health-threatening circumstances. However, there are several things you can do on your own to defend yourself against the harsh sun and hot weather of the summer.
Some of the riskiest workplaces include smelters, chemical plants, food canneries, farm work, construction sites, steam tunnels, hazardous waste site activities, landscaping, asbestos removal, oil & gas well operations, electrical utilities (such as boiler rooms), rubber product factories, glass production plants, nonferrous foundries, and iron & steel foundries.
Tips to keep forklift operators safe during summers
No matter you are the employer of forklift operators or a forklift driver, the following tips will help you keep safe during summers:
Stay hydrated – Always keep a bottle of water in the forklift. With rising temperatures, the prospect for dehydration and/or cramping amplifies. So as to operate the forklift truck safe and sound, you need to be physically prepared. Staying hydrated all the times is half the battle during the dog days of summer.
Avoid skipping the maintenance schedule – With scorching circumstances, the forklift truck requires some additional consideration, as well. Overheating is a frequent concern, so take care that the schedule of maintenance is followed. Nothing messes up a shift quicker than a broken-down forklift truck.
Take more repeated breaks – Even though it may appear counterproductive to take more breaks, however, being a forklift driver, you can’t do much good work if you are dehydrated, and have lost concentration on the duties at hand. All the way through the work day, take more repeated breaks to rest in the shadow, drink water, and have a small snack to keep your level of fluid up and avert an empty stomach from additional depleting your interval reserves.
Protect yourself from the sun – It is imperative to long-summer protection especially to the ones working outdoors. Spend eight to ten hours outdoors under the sun, and you will ultimately feel the impact. Keep yourself defended with an additional roof covering, sunscreen or a hat is you operate a forklift in a dock, shipyard, or any other outdoor setting.
Build a tolerance to working in the heat – As the one liable to keep employees secure and averting illness and mishaps, employers must let new and returning staff build a tolerance to the heat and progressively enhance workloads as they become accustomed.
Monitor signs of illness linked to heat – Closely scrutinizing the signs and symptoms of the beginnings of heat-related discomfort is an ideal approach to avert mishaps and illness from taking place in a workplace.
While considering forklift rental in New Jersey during summer months, make sure you keep the aforementioned tips in mind and ensure your forklift operators are protected throughout!
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