All Directions… Making Short Work of Long Loads
Sideloaders benefit from the capability to travel through narrow doorways and work areas with loads from four metres upwards in a reduced space and also at low level, supported on its unique beds to increase safety and prevent instability of loads whilst travelling.
6 Benefits When Buying A Used Forklift
Budget and efficiency = ROI. You want to make sure you are accessing the best forklift for your needs while still making sure you are making a profit. At KMH Fleet this is our passion – we partner with you to make sure you are putting your money into a forklift that will serve your needs and your goals.
When Should You Replace Your Forklift(s)?
Black Friday & Holiday Maintenance Prep List
With the Holiday season fast approaching, are you ready to operate at maximum uptime? A busy holiday season is a time to consider making any necessary part replacements now, and then plan to keep any spare parts on hand that would cause extended downtime. Our free operational audit can help you prepare in advance of the Season.
Forklift Safety
Forklifts, if employed properly, can be one of the most important equipment in your work area. However, accidents could nevertheless occur when operating a forklift. The men operating the forklift need to have proper forklift training for operating them to avoid such harmful accidents.
OSHA and ANSI Training
OSHA and ANSI have requirements regarding forklift training to maintain safety for all people in the workplace. Different workplace types and conditions are factors in hazards for forklifts. For example, retail establishments often face greater challenges than other worksites in maintaining pedestrian safety. Beyond that, many workers can also be injured when lift trucks are inadvertently driven off loading docks; lifts fall between docks and an unsecured trainer; they are struck by a lift truck; or they fall while on elevated pallets or other objects.
It is up to you, the employer, to see that your operators and fleet managers are aware of the regulations and that your company is in compliance.
Operators that receive ongoing training are more efficient at operating your forklifts. This efficiency translates into more productive employees. Improved morale and efficiency gained from training will increase how much work each of your operators can accomplish in a day, and that improves your bottom line. These best practices decrease the likelihood of injuries to operators and damage to equipment and property.
When observing operators using equipment, remember to ask:
- Is the driver wearing a seat belt?
- Is the operator driving at safe speeds?
- Does the driver sound the horn when approaching blind spots, end of aisles or backing up?
- When transporting a load, is the load 6” to 10” off of the floor?
- Is the driver’s visibility blocked?
- Does the operator use a spotter when the load is blocking his visibility?
Companies that do not emphasize safety and ongoing training of their drivers are easy to spot with this quick observation. KMH offers training that fulfills both ANSI and OSHA laws. With proper training, you reduce downtime due to improper operation and provide effective, timely maintenance/repair of your fleet. We provide a range of forklift training classes at progressive levels to meet your needs!
All of this results in equipment that stays in better condition for a longer period of time, an increase in useful life of your forklifts, and lower operating costs.
We provide a range of forklift training classes at progressive levels to meet your needs!
Experience The KMH Service Difference
WE HAVE THE TECH IF YOU HAVE THE TRUCKS! KMH is the LEADING PROVIDER of forklift service & parts in your market!
- Responsive service dispatch & 24/7 support
- Factory trained technicians across leading lift truck brands including; Nissan, TCM, Clark, Crown, Yale, Hyster, Raymond, Doosan to name a few
- 1st time service resolution rates greater than 90%
- Painless service experience from initial quote through invoicing process!
Benefits of Forklift Safety Training
There is a distinct difference between teaching someone something, like safe forklift operation, and truly training them how to perform the function safely and efficiently. A comprehensive training for your forklift operators provides you with not only protection from potential liabilities, but also enhances your operation. Proper training will also lower your costs in terms of less damage to the products your operators move, and to your facility. The bottom line is thorough, documented and formalized training leads to better care for your equipment, your products, your facility and your bottom line.
Increased useful life and lower operating costs
Training not only in safe, proper forklift operation, but also proper inspections will result in catching small maintenance issues and fixing them before they become giant repair headaches. Knowing proper methods of operating a forklift results in less wear and tear on your equipment. Your equipment stays in better condition for a longer period of time and lowers operating costs.
Improved productivity
Operators that receive ongoing training are more efficient at operating your forklifts. This efficiency translates into more productive employees. Improved morale and efficiency gained from training will increase how much work each of your operators can accomplish in a day, and that improves your bottom line.
Better morale and improved “spirit” of safety
Employees that are professionally trained truly feel cared for, and they should! Each of your forklift operators is in control of a very dangerous piece of equipment. One wrong move could permanently change their lives or the lives of people working around the forklift. When they know you “have their back” and are not simply going through the motions to appease government, they respond positively by projecting that spirit of safety into other facets of your operation and will “have your back” by letting you know of other possible improvements that could benefit your company.
Comply with regulatory
OSHA and ANSI have requirements regarding forklifts. And ultimately it is up to you, the employer, to make sure your operators and fleet managers are aware of the regulations and you are in compliance. Failure to comply not only opens your company up for potential fines, but also for fiscal damages should an injury occur.
Forklift Driving – Comfortable and Safe
Focus on Ergonomics
Next year, the forklift will celebrate its 100th birthday. The issue of workspace design and ergonomics has become increasingly important particularly in the last 30 years, an ergonomic driver’s workspace is one of the most important criteria in the acquisition of new forklifts and technical warehouse equipment. Which solutions have a particularly positive effect on the posture and health of the driver?
There are now many solutions and equipment variants that should protect the driver from the high levels of strain and maintain performance. The human vibrations that occur particularly during travel and the typical head and arm movements are frequently the cause of health problems with the back and specifically the neck and shoulder area for forklift drivers.
A study in Gothenburg in co-operation with UniCarriers Group has shown that forklift drivers turn their head more than 1,000 times per hour and make up to 2,000 arm movements. The protection of health above and beyond the statutory requirements is increasingly becoming a focus of employers. Thus, the issue of ergonomics is also a decisive factor for an increasing number of operators in the purchase of new equipment.
An ergonomic and user-friendly workspace improves safety in the subsequent operation of the vehicle. This includes the layout and functionality of the intuitive controls as well as a comfortable seat and good visibility on all sides.
Ergonomics – the best protection against accidents
An investigation by the “Energie Textil Elektro Medienerzeugnisse” (energy, textile, electrical, media products) professional association shows that 77 percent of all forklift accidents are impact accidents, 33 percent of which happen when reversing. With a high seat position, large fields of vision, mast profiles and optimum arrangement of the hydraulic hoses and electrical cables the protective cover ensure good all-round visibility. UniCarriers offers its forklifts with an anti-reflective colored coating of the cab roof. To help, camera systems can improve forward or rear visibility.
Relaxed Posture and Smaller Strains
To avoid strains on the body the sideways seat direction is part of the industry standard. The driver’s seat can be adjusted individually for size and weight to an optimal position. Premium suppliers such as UniCarriers offer a height-adjustable floor and comfort seats and individually adjustable lumbar supports. In 2011, Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden conducted an ergonomic study with reach trucks from different manufacturers. “The result shows that the Tergo reach truck from Atlet by UniCarriers allows a more ergonomic posture than other reach trucks.
Innovative technologies for greater productivity
Ergonomics has a long tradition in the history of UniCarriers and TCM. The strains on drivers were investigated in 1989 to 1991. The findings had an impact on the development of new drivers’ workspaces and vehicles. With the merger of the brands Atlet, Nissan Forklift and TCM to form the UniCarriers group in 2011, this tradition and the endeavor to constantly improve vehicle ergonomics were continued.
With the new Tergo URS swivel reach truck from the Atlet by UniCarriers product family, the driver can recall numerous individual settings at the start of driving by a personal PIN code. For an ergonomic posture in all work stages, the backrest can be tilted backwards by up to 18 degrees. This strain is reduced by the seat tilt function. To relieve the strain on the driver’s arm and shoulder area, UniCarriers has developed the individually adjustable “floating” armrest. At the end of this mobile, sprung armrest is the patented mini steering wheel, an ergonomically optimized solution with its palm-sized functional surface.
All operating elements for the lifting functions can be reached from the right armrest in the form of mini levers and buttons.
Premium manufacturer UniCarriers also offer an integrated joystick as standard, with which all the major functions of the lift mast can be controlled. This allows the forklift to be easier to operate, saves time and increases the handling rate, as several functions can be performed simultaneously. Both armrests are height-adjustable to encourage a relaxed sitting position.
The driver travels forwards for around 70 percent and in the direction of the forks for around 20 percent of the working time. Here, the left arm is employed with moving the steering wheel for up to 74 percent of the time.
Pleasure in Stacking
A forklift driver should feel comfortable in the workspace. This is accomplished by ergonomic vehicle and cab equipment, which reduces strains and thus protects the health of the driver. Signs of fatigue can be prevented and staff shortages due to illness can be reduced. The manufacturers offer numerous equipment variants and innovative solutions. The trend is towards greater capacity for personalization of the forklift. Additionally, the vehicles are becoming ever quieter. The winner from this development is not only the driver but also the operator.
Ultimately, the operator benefits from high productivity and operating safety.
FULL ARTICLE AVAILABLE HERE VIA – forkliftaction.com
KMH is committed to and focused on Forklift Ergonomics. Contact your local KMH Representative at 888-564-7978 or use the form below if you would like more information on UniCarrier Forklifts.