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Atlantic Lift Systems Company Newsletter, Vol. 1 edit
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June is National Safety Month
Did you know that in 2017 over 5,000 fatal workplace injuries were recorded in the US? According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, that’s a 7% increase from 2015, and this is the the third consecutive annual increase. When it comes to workplace and equipment safety, Atlantic Lift Systems believes employers and employees in every industry play an important role in maintaining a safe working environment. In addition to wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at work and on the job site, the heat of summer means taking extra precautions against the physical effects of sun and heat when working outdoors or in hot indoor environments. Staying hydrated, practicing work/rest cycles, and knowing and looking out for the symptoms of heat related illness can help keep you feeling fit. Keeping equipment clean and in good working order also requires added caution in the summer months. OSHA reports that as much as 20% of those work related accidents in the construction industry result from equipment malfunction, and overheating is the #1 cause of equipment malfunction. As we head into the summer months, the sweltering temperatures and longer workdays will increase wear and tear on all types of equipment, which can lead to overheating. Review the following tips and practice daily equipment inspections to keep your equipment running safely and efficiently.
DAILY MAINTENANCE TIPS:
Coolant and Oil- Engines get hot & thirsty in summer. check for proper coolant level, coolant/water ratio and correct oil levels. Radiators must run full, so top it up.
Staying Safe During Hot Weather Project, 5 June 2015, Whirlwind Team
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Grease- Heat reduces the adhesive properties of grease, so use thicker grease. Belts and Hoses-Take a look! Loose belts or discolored hoses are the first sign of overheating.
Brakes- Check them. Our humid and steamy summers can cause loss of break friction because brake components cannot absorb the added heat.
Tires- Check tire pressure regularly. Hot weather weakens tires & can cause blowouts.
Hydraulic System & Air Filters- Walk around the equipment and check for leaks, excess oil and grease, leaks around seals and loose belts. Don’t forget to check out those air filters also.
Cooling System- Dust accumulates and causes clogs to inlets and outlets. The cooling system must be free of all dust and debris, so use compressed air daily to clean it.
Put Equipment Away- Store equipment in a dry shelter when possible. Sun and moisture speed up corrosion.
Finally, Use Equipment as Directed- and avoid overuse, especially on hot summer days! I t is important to remember that keeping our equipment in good working order keeps you safe too.
Staying Safe During Hot Weather Project, 5 June 2015, Whirlwind Team
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Atlantic Lift Systems Company Newsletter, Vol. 1
The Atlantic Insider, vol 1 – June/July Click on the link below to read:
https://conta.cc/2LfQ6GP
Atlantic Lift Systems at 2017 Claude King Memorial Golf Tournament
Atlantic Lift Systems recently participated in the 2017 Claude King Memorial Golf Tournament. The tournament raised over $60,000 for the youth in our community. It is such an honor to be a part of such an amazing organization and check out this YouTube video to see highlights from this event!
Loading Dock Safety To Ensure A Happy New Year
With the holiday season and a brand new year of business just around the corner, your loading docks are sure to be crowded! For lift truck operators, we tend to focus on safety topics such as floor surfaces, pedestrian and vehicle traffic, warehouse debris and obstacles and confined space. We often forget one of the most prevalent and potentially dangerous areas, loading dock safety. There are many other components involved in loading dock safety that the forklift driver has no control over while driving, but all can be addressed if the proper measures are taken regarding the preparation of the load transfer. Some form of wheel retention is required by OSHA such as Manual Surface Chock Wheel Restraints, Surface-Mounted Restraints, In-Ground Restraints, etc.
Even if you’ve never spent time working on a loading dock, you’ve seen wheel chocks at some point or another. These are one of the easiest ways to prevent trailer creep that can be caused by repeated entry and exit of a forklift into the trailer. If wheel chocks are not in place, the trailer will become separated from the dock leveler, increasing the likelihood of load or forklift tip-over. Placing wheel chocks in position presents another safety issue; all users/operators should be informed of the proper safety procedures. Ensure that nothing is being transferred into/out of the truck at the time of placement. Make sure chocks and spares are readily available and that mirrors have been placed in the appropriate positions in your dock so that drivers have visibility of the rear of their truck at all times.
The separation of the trailer from the dock leveler will be affected by the size of the load, size of the forklift, and the quality of the leveler/dock boards being used. Herein lies another method of accident prevention; make sure that the dock leveler and boards have been properly serviced and maintained and that you are using the proper truck and not exceeding the recommended truck and load weight.
There are also additional pieces of equipment that can be put in place to promote safe procedures. Barriers have been developed to place on your dock leveler or to install directly into the leveler to protect against backing off of or driving off the end of the dock. This doesn’t sound likely, but the reality is many drivers do not realize just how close they are to the edge. All it takes is a portion of one wheel to cross the dock for the entire machine to become off balance.
Make sure all operator manuals are stored in a close proximity to all dock levelers. There are several procedures that differ depending on the type of leveler installed. The drivers will need direct access to these manuals to ensure they are following the suggested safety procedures such as whether or not trailers should be engaged or disengaged while the trailers are departing.
Atlantic Lift Systems’ Territory Managers and Service Technicians will be happy to provide inspections/evaluations on your current dock levelers/boards. We want you and your team to have an optimal environment for safe, quick and efficient loading at all times. Please call us at (757) 466-9280 or visit us at www.AtlanticLiftSystems.com with questions or to inquire about scheduling an inspection or maintenance appointment. Safe loading!
