Page 50: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (October 2020)

Shipping & Port Annual

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Tips | Propane 2020 SHIPPING & PORT ANNUAL

Propane Forklift Safety for Crews

Reinforce these 8 simple safety tips for a safe, healthy workplace

By Matt McDonald, Propane Education & Research Council aterial handling equipment, like forklifts, are vital to a port’s day-to-day operations. Forklifts enable em- ployees to keep containers and other heavy materials

Mon the move during their shift. But due to the nature of the equipment, forklifts introduce some workplace hazards that crews need to be aware of — and know how to avoid.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) conducted a study analyzing forklift-related accidents, in- juries, and fatalities and discovered the top six causes to be operator inattention, lack of training, unstable loads, forklift overturns, operators struck-by load and elevated employees.

Fortunately for forklift operators, modern forklift technology is safer than ever — but only when operators follow proper safety procedures. To combat common hazards and keep em- © Grispb/AdobeStock ployees safe, OSHA has several safety guidelines in place with regard to forklift operation, maintenance, and required training. 4. Watch the ramp. Operators should maintain a safe

The Propane Education & Research Council — and the distance from the edge of ramps in order to prevent dan- propane industry as a whole — are passionate about forklift gerous tip-over. When descending a ramp with a loaded safety, too. The Propane Council works to educate propane forklift, always travel in reverse with the forklift and pay- users and has an entire landing page dedicated to forklift safe- load pointed up the grade. When traveling up a ramp with ty. There, users can ? nd tips (like those listed below), videos, an unloaded forklift, always keep the forks pointed down-

PERC’s trivia challenge and more. grade. 1. Keep it secure. The pressure relief valve on a pro- 5. Make some noise. Slow down and sound the horn pane forklift cylinder, which provides overpressure pro- to avoid collisions at cross aisles, and anywhere else the tection to the cylinder, should be kept clean, unrestricted, forklift visibility may be obstructed. set to the 12 o’clock position, and directed upward at a 45-degree angle when the cylinder is mounted horizon- 6. Call it a day. When parking, operators should follow tally. proper safety procedures including putting the forklift in neutral and lowering the forks to the ? oor. If not properly 2. Buckle up. One of the simplest — yet most important secured, an unattended forklift can be a danger to em- — safety procedures is to buckle up before operating a ployees.

forklift. A forklift’s seatbelt is designed to protect the op- erator in case of tip-over. When a propane forklift isn’t in use, turn 7. Do the twist.

the service valve clockwise until it’s completely closed.

To help prevent an accident, OSHA 3. Hit the brakes. directs forklift operators to stop the equipment and set Cylinders should be stored in a secure, 8. Lock it down.

the brake before raising or lowering the forks. Accidents padlocked rack outside that protects them from sunlight can occur when approaching a load too fast or turning too and rain. Local propane suppliers can assist businesses quickly. with the best placement for their cylinder cage.

To learn more about propane forklift safety, visit: Propane.com/SafetyFirst 50 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • October 2020

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First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.