When it comes to any using any type of forklift, the biggest danger will be the potential for such vehicles to topple over under excessive or poorly distributed weight. As such, when it comes to safety, all different types of truck will need an equal focus on safety. However, should you choose gas forklifts due to their low price, high efficiency and environmental credentials, there will be certain things to consider when refuelling if you want to stay as safe as possible.
The first thing to think about is where you will actually buy your gas from. Different suppliers will offer different sizes and shapes of cylinders and some will be far more user-friendly than others. Furthermore, when choosing to buy from a company such as Calor, the cylinders that are delivered may not only be easier to use and more environmentally-friendly than those from less reputable suppliers, but they may even be far more technologically advanced too, not only helping to keep you and your employees safe, but also making the process of disposing of cylinders and ordering new ones far easier and much more intuitive.
So long as cylinders are handled correctly, they pose no risk to your staff. However, this does mean that training should be offered to all staff who may, at some point, be required to move these cylinders or refuel trucks in the future. This also means that risk assessments should be carried out periodically to make sure that the trucks themselves are safe to use.
When refuelling, it will be important to follow very specific procedures. However, once these are learnt, they will become second nature and will not slow down the process of refuelling at all.
The first thing to ensure is that the vehicle is safely parked with the engine switched off, and that any potential source of ignition, from flames to sparks, are removed from the immediate area. Those with fixed tanks should only refuel at specified refuelling locations, and under no circumstances should forklifts be refuelled by those that have not been trained to do so.
Always ensure that the cylinders you source are the right size for your vehicle. Should you wish to use larger cylinders to make your vehicle even more efficient and environmentally friendly, be sure that you look at ways to accommodate larger cylinders safely, speaking to experts about ways to protect the cylinders from any kind of impact.
It goes without saying that cylinders should be checked before they are used and treated with extreme care every step of the way. Once they have been placed onto the forklift, they should be double checked to ensure they are in the right position with the safety release valve facing upwards and easily accessible.
By offering appropriate members of staff the right training, carrying out periodic inspections and risk assessments, and ensuring that you source your LPG from the right companies, LPG forklift trucks will be extremely safe indeed and offer you a vehicle that is extremely productive and versatile at a very low cost.
About the Author - Adam Howes is a freelance writer and blogger who regularly contributes to industry sites such as www.calor.co.uk