As notoriously powerful machines operating in particularly busy environments, remaining safe whilst working with forklift trucks is key. One way to ensure safety in this hazardous space is by implementing specific safety features.
Having the right equipment on your truck can significantly reduce the risk of accidents in the workplace. However, there's such a wide range of safety equipment on the market that it can be difficult to know exactly what you need to reduce forklift truck accidents.
All TCM trucks come fully equipped with standard safety features, but some environments are more prone to forklift truck accidents than others. So it can certainly be worth going a step further to safeguard your vehicles and your drivers.
Here are the top five safety features we recommend adding to your forklifts for extra protection against workplace accidents.
1. Blue Spot LED Lamp
Blue spot LED lamps warn anyone nearby that a forklift truck is coming their way. Many forklifts are virtually noise-free, with operators using their horns to alert people of their presence. Having a blue spot LED lamp as an additional indicator will provide a visual signal to further alert your workers that a forklift truck is in their proximity.
Our new FB/FTB14-20(L)-E3, for example, is created with safety and comfort at the forefront of its design. As well as blue safety lamps with direction-dependent activation, the FB/FTB has standard lighting fitted on the mast, overhead guard and at the rear and reversing lights to illuminate the truck’s load and surroundings to give operators, and those around them enhanced awareness and a clear line of sight.
Related read: The True Cost of Forklift Accidents Revealed
2. Low Height LED Flashing Beacon
A low-height LED flashing beacon can be placed below the overhead guard to reduce potential impact damage to lower and industrial flexible doors. Used as a hazard warning, the LED flashing beacon these lights instruct workers to keep a healthy distance from the vehicle in motion. As well as improving workplace safety, having this additional safety feature can decrease downtime caused by collisions.
To some, low height LED flashing beacons aren’t the favoured choice of hazard light simply because they flash directly in the eyes of workers, obscuring their field of vision. Nevertheless, flashing beacons are an essential safety feature in low light conditions, particularly in darker warehouses or for those operating a forklift truck outside at night.
Specifically designed with efficiency, comfort and safety in mind, read about our latest FHB25-35(L)-F2 is a 4-wheel 80V lift truck right here.
3. Horizontal Forks Levelling System
Reducing damage to your forklift is important from a safety point of view, as there is less likely to be an accident on a healthy truck. A horizontal fork levelling system can help in this regard, as your operators will be less likely to have incidents that cause damage to themselves, the materials they're moving, or their trucks when forks are positioned correctly.
A primary cause of product, rack and equipment damage is unlevel forks. When the vehicle’s forks are tilted at the wrong angle, drivers can splinter pallets, push over racking or spear and knock products. Ensuring the forks on your vehicle are at the correct level is key to the security of your products, warehouse and forklift trucks, and to the safety of your operators.
Related read: How Our Electric Counterbalance Range Ensures Operator Safety
4. Panoramic Rear View Mirror
For forklift operators, having a good view of people, objects and other vehicles in your vicinity is essential. With a 180° view, panoramic rear-view mirrors offer additional safety by reducing blind spots and improving operator visibility.
A panoramic view ensures that a forklift operator can see everything that's going on around them easily and efficiently. This is particularly useful in a busy working environment or towards the end of a shift when tiredness can contribute to reduced concentration.
5. Full LED Light Package
Finally, a full LED light package is another important way to enhance forklift safety. By ensuring trucks are visible in your working environment at all times, you reduce the risk of danger for the materials you're working with and for other warehouse workers, for the truck itself.
Poor visibility can contribute to warehouse injuries; when workers or pedestrians are manoeuvring between forklift trucks or bays, the risk of being crushed or struck increases greatly without correct lighting. LED lights are extremely bright and effective, yet relatively easy to install and cheap to maintain. This seemingly insignificant addition to your forklift fleet can really make a huge difference.
No matter how many forklifts you have in operation, we can find a solution that helps to improve safety in your business. To find out more about how to make your trucks as safe and efficient as possible, get in touch with your local dealer today.
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