Winter presents significant challenges for operations running a forklift fleet. Extra care and attention are required by fleet operators and their forklift drivers to get the best out of their equipment at a time of year that can involve severe weather conditions. Performance isn’t the only issue faced by firms over the coldest part of the year, safety is always a prime concern. Every step must be taken to ensure that operators, forklifts, and those working nearby are protected both from the elements and potential accidents.
Material handling solutions like forklift trucks represent a significant financial investment, so it is vital that enterprise owners running fleets ensure they are prepared for winter. This means ensuring that work areas are safe and ready to use and that the equipment is correctly maintained throughout the season. Read on for some important considerations that firms using forklifts over winter should be aware of.
Are your operating environments fit for winter weather?
Snow, hail, wind, rain, and other types of winter weather can greatly hamper visibility. For this reason, forklift fleet operators must ensure that work areas are supported with additional lighting. Overhead floodlighting should be available for use when necessary to facilitate a safe and productive environment.
It’s understood that winter weather will also make work surfaces slippery when ice and frost are present. To combat this issue, work areas should be sufficiently gritted before any forklift use. Gritting can prevent surfaces from becoming a hazard for not just forklift vehicles but also pedestrians and other workers and can mitigate the risk of accidents.
During work hours, grit will be displaced by forklift activity so remember to maintain a continuous level of gritting throughout the day to keep surfaces from becoming slippery and dangerous.
Are your forklifts ready for winter conditions?
If you are planning to use forklifts outside in severe weather conditions make sure that they are fit for work. If your solutions have screens, consider installing wipers to keep them clear and aid visibility and in larger models think about installing onboard heaters. Both internal combustion engine and electric forklift models can benefit from the protection of a waterproof cover when performing outdoor duties.
Winter tyres can enhance performance and keep operators safer in icy conditions. Pneumatic tyres are a superior option to solid-style tyres, but it is understood that these solutions are not always appropriate for certain applications. However, chains and studs can be added to tyres that give them a better grip when working on surfaces impacted by cold weather conditions.
When not in use, forklift trucks should be kept covered and in a sheltered area that is warm and dry. Forklifts should never be left exposed to the elements for extended periods when inactive or equipment owners will run the risk of rust contamination or damage to electric systems.
Winter maintenance checks
While comprehensive forklift maintenance is important all year round, during winter it becomes especially vital. Fork trucks should be put through their paces regularly and given a full check-up before they start work. Onboard systems like lights and warning sirens should be assessed and all fluids topped up including fuel, oil, and de-icer.
It is advised that companies using forklifts consider using a rust preventative over the winter months. The combination of extreme weather like snow and ice with grit can take its toll on forklift equipment that is not adequately protected. At the end of each shift, forklifts should be cleaned as soon as possible and any grit that has accumulated should be removed.
By getting prepared for winter, forklift fleet operators can ensure that they suffer no loss in productivity while keeping their fork trucks protected against the elements.
Contact us today to talk about servicing for your whole fleet during the Winter as well as year round.
