Table of Contents
1. Summary2. Significance of Pallet Jack Safety
3. Pallet Jack Safety Tips
4. Takeaways
Summary
Pallet jacks are used in the warehouse industry to move goods around efficiently. This article gives tips on using a pallet jack safely, including working with an electric model and a manual one.
Significance of Pallet Jack Safety
Pallet jacks are used in the warehouse industry to move stored goods around efficiently on a loading dock or within large warehouses. They are a great tool for safely transporting cargo. They provide more stability than wheeled carts, but they also can do so with less physical effort on the user's part. They can be both manually operated or motorized versions that operate off electricity (electric).
However, there is some risk involved in using these machines, and anyone can injure themselves by not knowing how to handle their equipment properly! We've compiled some information for all pallet jack users out there on how best to avoid injury while working with these items, so keep reading if you want more information.
Here are some of the best safety tips to avoid an accident with a pallet jack.
Pallet Jack Safety Tips
The eight tips for safely using a Pallet Jack are listed below:
Review the task
Review the task to identify what will be carried, how heavy the weight is, and where it will be transported. Can I carry this load alone? The item is heavy, bulky, or tiny, depending on its size. Will it block my vision? If your view is being obstructed, request the assistance of a spotter. Verify that your material handling equipment is in good working order.
Each time you use the pallet jack, make sure it is in good working condition. Check that the wheels are working properly and that the tires have enough pressure. Before driving a pallet truck, ensure that the brakes, steering, controls, forks, hoists, and warning systems are all in proper working condition.
Know your load
Try to fill your cart with little individual things or big unstable parts to avoid having the load fall off, which might result in an accident or a massive mess. Smaller goods should be placed in a container, while bigger ones should be bunched together before being transported. Additionally, make sure that the weight is spread equally. A heavyweight can fall and injure you or someone else.
Light loads should be transported using a two-wheel hand truck, whereas heavier loads should be transported using a four-wheel truck. Always start with the heaviest goods in your cart. It is important to center the forks uniformly beneath the weight to maintain appropriate balance and stability while utilizing a pallet jack. Make sure that the forks are fully positioned under the pallet. Maintain a space of about 1 inch between the floor and the pallet at all times.
Training must be necessary
The most critical component of any warehouse safety effort is to ensure that everyone is on the same page and is getting ongoing training on the best practices to keep everything healthy on the job. That begins with examining specific risk factors and developing a strategy to avoid any possible risks. Once the necessary information has been gathered, workers must get the appropriate training, and managers must ensure that their employees follow the guidelines laid forth in their training.
Lift goods in a right way
The use of inappropriate lifting methods or lifting too big weights might result in serious back injury. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, personnel who move items in a job site are at risk of getting back injuries due to unnatural postures and excessive effort.
When pushing or pulling materials, unnatural postures such as reaching behind the body, bending forward and to the side, and twisting may result in back injury and muscular tension. Back and shoulder discomfort may occur from improperly functioning wheels and bumpy terrain, making transporting products more difficult. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- It should not be turned to either side more than about 30 degrees or slanted forward or backward more than 15 degrees to ensure that the worker's head remains upright.
- During standing, you should not bend the torso more than 10 to 20 degrees from the vertical position, and you should maintain the natural curves of the spine as much as possible.
- Goods to be transported should be equipped with handles.
- The material should not be stacked higher than the level of the eye.
- Provide height-adjustable picking equipment to keep loads at a height that reduces the need to bend at the waist.
- Hand trucks or carts with pneumatic wheels may move materials across rough, uneven terrain or up and down.
Avoid inclines (if possible)
According to the National Ag Safety Database, a pallet jack on an incline is not typically a good idea. Slopes increase the likelihood of an accident occurring since it becomes more difficult for operators to keep control of the jack on the incline.
It is important, though, to navigate an incline from time to time. If you have to travel up an incline, always be sure you're pulling the jack instead of pushing it.
Don't push
Similarly, the National Association of Safety Directors (NASD) urged employees to pull the pallet jack whenever feasible. Trying to manage the equipment by pushing it may make it less maneuverable and increase the likelihood of bumping into anything while going around a curve that you couldn't have noticed.
Be aware of standing and placing your hands around the pallet jack's forks.
One of the most serious risks associated with using a pallet jack is the possibility of getting hands or feet stuck underneath it as it lowers. As a result, workers must always know where they're standing and place their hands around the pallet jack's forks.
Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
It is critical to have all the necessary tools and equipment available to make any lifting or handling operation as simple and safe as possible.
The absolute needs are as follows:
Gloves
When dealing with big, heavy objects that have sharp or rough edges, leather gloves are recommended.
Protective Footwear
It is possible to get foot injuries when transporting products in some regions. This is due to the possibility of falling objects, rolling objects, or sharp edge materials that might pierce the sole. When there are slip and trip dangers on your job site, you may also want footwear with particular features such as non-skid bottoms and steel-toed boots.
Back Belts
Using hand trucks, carts, and pallet jacks while wearing a back belt may be quite beneficial in supporting your lower back. Examine your belt to ensure that it is the right fit and that it is being worn on the lower back.
If you want to learn more, you can see the video below:
Why Choose Pallet Jackson
Pallet Jackson is the leading supplier of industrial pallet equipment, with years of industry experience; we work hard to ensure that their products live up to expectations while providing excellent customer service.
Takeaways
- Pallet Jack is a great tool for safely transporting cargo.
- Review the task to identify what will be carried, how heavy the weight is, and where it will be transported.
- The use of inappropriate lifting methods or lifting too big weights might result in serious back injury.
- Trying to manage the equipment by pushing it may make it less maneuverable.
