Operating a forklift is a routine, but dangerous, requirement of many occupations.
Safely operating a forklift requires preparation, anticipation and careful attention in order to maintain control of the vehicle at all times – not to mention, following safe operating rules at all times. Operators must always maintain control of the forklift, keep a proper lookout, and operate the forklift at speeds safe for the particular operation and work site conditions.
OSHA suggests the following pre-operation safety inspection for liquid propane forklift trucks:
- Properly mounted tank
- Pressure relief valve pointing up
- Hose and connectors
- Tank restraint brackets
- Tank for dents and cracks
- Tank fits within profile of truck
- Leaks
- Note: Always use personal protective equipment such as a face shield, long sleeves, and gauntlet gloves when checking liquid propane tanks and fittings.
While several of the aforementioned items involve the forklift’s tank, one often-overlooked safety aspect is lifting the heavy propane tank. Commonly used aluminum tanks weigh nearly 60 pounds, well exceeding the OSHA guidelines that discourage lifting over 50 pounds.
According to OSHA, lifting heavy items is one of the leading causes of injury in the workplace. In 2001, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that over 36 percent of injuries involving missed workdays were the result of shoulder and back injuries. Overexertion and cumulative trauma were the biggest factors in these injuries.
Propane Ninja is proud to offer Viking Cylinders, constructed of composite material to be a safe, lightweight, convenient solution for propane forklifts. At full capacity, the cylinder weighs merely 46 pounds – empty, just 16 pounds, making them the lightest forklift truck tanks on the market. Best yet, they are affordable. Companies are starting to offer a direct cylinder exchange process that typically doesn’t require anything more than a standard deposit to get started. Pricing remains competitive with other companies offering the alternative such as Aluminum and Steel cylinders.
Viking tanks feature a translucent design, which offers a remarkably convenient benefit: the ability to visually determine tank content levels, eliminating guesswork and inaccurate gauges. The tanks are easy to lift, handle, and stack, so storage and maintenance becomes a breeze.
With over 9 million units in use around the world, Viking possesses the cleanest safety record. Its patented fabrication withstands burst pressure up to 2x as high as steel tanks. Also, these cylinders will not rupture, eliminating the risk of BLEVE, seriously lowering the chance of explosion in the case of fire.
Call Propane Ninja today to learn more about optimizing your forklift operation with Viking Cylinders!
Viking Cylinders is a registered trademark of Hexagon Ragasco AS
Read on about the newest forklift propane fuel delivery system to hit Tampa Bay.
Here are some additional safety checklists which you may choose to print & place in your facility > https://www.osha.gov/dte/library/pit/daily_pit_checklist.html
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