Within the distribution of goods industry, forklifts play a very vital role. They are capable of efficiently moving product through the distribution process. Then again, they must be used carefully. Improper operation of forklifts could cause damage to products, injury to employees, and serious accidents causing death.
Safety
If you use a forklift properly, it is quite safe. Tens of thousands of people are seriously injured in forklifts accidents each and every year. Dozens are killed in workplace accidents that involve forklifts. The tragedy is that the majority of these accidents are avoidable with correct training and attention to safety.
Kinds of Machines
Depending on the particular type of forklift that would be used on the job, the forklift operator should be trained. A common kind used in warehouse and distribution centers is the sit-down model. Other kinds of forklifts normally utilized in industry comprise operator up units, rough terrain units and narrow aisle trucks.
Operator Requirements
A forklift operator certification that includes both practical evaluations and classroom study is required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or OSHA. The three-year certification is not transferable; if switching employers, operators must become recertified.
Load Capacities
1,800 kilograms to 2,200 kilograms is the load capacity of a conventional forklift. Higher load capacities up to and beyond 9,000 kilograms are available in several units. A forklift's load capacity will depend on the unit and its attachments and options.
History
Forklifts were first developed by Clark and by Yale, top companies in the international forklift industry. Ever since the forklift was developed in the 1920s, it has gone through various technological advances, mostly leading to improvements in operator safety and the efficient and safe movement of product.