23rd Aug 2019
As a forklift operator, you are consistently exposed to threats to your safety especially when you operate in environments like construction sites.
It is therefore important that you adhere to the guidelines outlined by OSHA to enhance personal protection. There are several types of equipment that you can use to enable this and today we are going to take a look at some of them.
Hard Hats
Falling objects are commonplace in construction sites and in warehouses where damaged pallets are used to store goods. These objects can be dangerous in case they fall on you during operations.
However, any injuries due to such objects can be minimized or prevented when you wear a hard hat with a tough impenetrable core. They are also vital for protecting against head injuries during a fall and tip-over accidents.
When it comes to choosing an ideal hard hat, always go for those that come in designs that make it easy to accommodate other personal protective equipment like goggles and ear muffins comfortably.
Safety Boots
Your feet are also vulnerable and exposed to injuries during material handling. One of the ways you prevent them from being injured is through the use of safety shoes.
These shoes usually come with soles that are designed to offer you great traction in wet floors to prevent slips and falls. They are also made of a very tough sole that ensures your feet are less exposed to cuts from debris lying on the floor.
I Safety boosts are usually designed to ensure you assume the best posture to avoid straining your backbone thereby minimizing fatigue.
Safety shoes are also key for ensuring your feet are not crushed by falling objects or loads that are not properly restrained on a material handling equipment.
Safety Goggles
The safety of your eyes is also very important during operations. For this reason, you should ensure that you have safety goggles for your operations.
These safety goggles can offer your eyes the best protection against projectiles that come from dust, wood, metal or concrete especially if you operate in a construction zone.
For warehouses that mostly handle chemicals, you need safety goggles since you are constantly exposed to fumes and splashes that can cause blindness.
Safety Vests
Visibility is a very important aspect of safety during operations especially if you work in a very busy warehouse.
Well, you can ensure that you make yourself more visible to other operators by using safety vests. The is key especially if you keep embarking on your forklift a lot.
Safety vests usually come with reflective material that ensures you are safe in both brightly lit and dim rooms.
Safety Gloves
Your hand is also vital for your safety and so they should also be protected. The common personal protective equipment for the hands is usually the safety gloves.
They are designed to offer a tighter grip on the forklift controls so you can operate the forklift better than you would with bare hands. Some people have sweaty hands and so they will find them crucial for their operations.
You will also find them vital in protecting your hands especially when they are exposed to corrosive chemicals or oils.
If you have to operate through harsh weather like winter then you will also find them helpful in keeping your hands warm and preventing incidences of frostbites. And this will go a long way in boosting your productivity.
Therefore during operations operators should ensure that their safety is catered for using this Personal Protective Equipment. However, some in the market are substandard and therefore the operators need to ensure they choose those are of certified quality.
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