We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • ::COVID-19 COVERAGE::
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC.
    • Podcast
    • Blogs
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Best Practices
      • Dispatches
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Logistics Problem Solving
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Public Sector Logistics
      • Two Sides of the Logistics Coin
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2020
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC.
    • Podcast
    • Blogs
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Best Practices
      • Dispatches
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Logistics Problem Solving
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Public Sector Logistics
      • Two Sides of the Logistics Coin
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2020
    • Upload Your Video
Home » 10 tips to maximize safety—and productivity—when operating with propane forklifts
National Forklift Safety Day Special Section

10 tips to maximize safety—and productivity—when operating with propane forklifts

May 23, 2019
Jeremy Wishart
No Comments

Propane forklifts offer reliable performance, increased productivity, versatility, and lower emissions for a variety of material handling operations, which is why they're often called upon to work around the clock to keep businesses on schedule.

Guy driving lift truckFor all their benefits, though, forklifts and other powered industrial trucks bring with them various potential hazards that can endanger both pedestrians and operators. Forklifts need to be operated safely in order to prevent time-loss accidents.

By following forklift safety procedures while behind the wheel, operators can protect themselves and co-workers. Safe operation of propane-powered forklifts also goes hand in hand with greater productivity.

Maximize safety by reinforcing these 10 simple steps:

1. Buckle up. Overturned forklifts are a leading cause of forklift-related accidents and fatalities. Buckling up while a sitdown forklift is in use can save operators from getting crushed by the machine's overhead guard or roll cage.

2. Inspect propane cylinders prior to operation. Thoroughly inspect the forklift's propane cylinders after removal from a storage cage to ensure they're in good condition. Check cylinders for rust, dents, and gouges. Use your senses of smell, hearing, and sight to check for leaks in the cylinder. Cylinders that show signs of wear or leaks should not be used and may need to be replaced even if within the cylinder's requalification date.

3. Stop the forklift before raising or lowering the forks. Ensuring the forklift is stopped before moving the forks can greatly reduce the risk of tipping the machine or dropping the load.

4. Set the parking brake, lower the forks, and set controls to neutral when finished. Safely parked forklifts reduce the danger of unintended movement when a forklift is left unattended. If a forklift is parked on an incline, the machine can be further secured with wheel blocks.

5. Store propane cylinders in a secure rack or cage. A propane cylinder storage rack or cage should be located away from exits, stairways, entryways, or high-traffic areas. Forklift cylinders can be stored horizontally with the pressure-relief valves in the uppermost position. Operators should use proper lifting techniques when removing cylinders from storage and placing them onto a forklift.

6. Close service valves on propane cylinders when not in use. This helps prevent unintended fuel loss and potential injury around internal-combustion engines.

7. Keep loads within the weight capacity of the forklift. Overloading a forklift can greatly increase the risk of tipping the machine by unbalancing the forklift's center of gravity.

8. Use caution on grades or ramps. Operators should use slow speeds for both ascending and descending, and avoid lifting pallets or loads higher than is needed to clear the road surface. For grades greater than 10 percent, forklifts both ascending and descending should be driven with the load upgrade. Forks should be pointed downgrade when there is no load regardless of the direction of travel.

9. Ensure the pressure-relief valve on the propane cylinder is secure and points away from the locating pin. Check that the pressure-relief valve fitting is approximately 180 degrees from the forklift's locating pin.

10. Slow down and sound the horn at locations where vision is obstructed. Forklift operators should always look in the direction of travel and should travel in reverse if loads are large enough to obscure their view. Warehouse managers can have spotters located at corners to reduce the risk of collisions with people and other forklifts. Concave mirrors can also be used to aid in visibility around corners or at aisles. Always consider the noise level as well, as pedestrians or other operators may not be able to hear a horn.

Don't let safety measures take a back seat to meeting the needs of a busy warehouse or distribution center. Keeping safety top of mind for operators and managers can be key in keeping business moving forward.

But the good news is that facilities using propane forklifts have a safety resource already at their fingertips in their propane supplier, who can help ensure safety across a facility's forklift fleet and refueling setup throughout the life of the equipment or whenever questions arise.

Find out more about the benefits of propane-powered forklifts.

Material Handling Internal Movement Lift Trucks, Personnel & Burden Carriers Safety & Security
KEYWORDS Propane Education & Research Council (PERC)
  • Related Articles

    Video series testifies for propane-powered forklifts

    Brush up on Forklift Safety Procedures, Enhance Safety Culture with New PERC Resources

    The Facility Manager’s Guide to Propane Forklift Safety

Jeremy wishart

Jeremy Wishart is director of off-road business development for the Propane Education & Research Council. He can be reached at jeremy.wishart@propane.com.

Recent Articles by Jeremy Wishart

Brush up on Forklift Safety Procedures, Enhance Safety Culture with New PERC Resources

Your forklift safety questions, answered

Propane forklift considerations in an electrify-everything movement

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Cold chain giant Lineage Logistics buys its own rail operator

  • For container lines and ports, what a difference a year makes

  • Outlook 2021: What’s in store for logistics supply chain?

  • Capacity challenges will continue in 2021

  • Cushman & Wakefield Brokers Sale of 170 Acres plus Lease for 1MSF Build-to-Suit for Home Improvement Retailer in Commerce City, CO.

Now Playing on DCV-TV

2mw 01 11 21 thumb

Ocean Sector Shaping the Next Shipageddon

DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
If you're a shipper, it's never good when a rep for an ocean carrier tells you, "You better sit down before you read this." We've been seeing astoundingly high increases in the ocean sector and they seem to have staying power. While the ocean carriers used blank sailings last year to tip the balance of supply and...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • Proven Benefits: A Compendium of Slotting Optimization Success Snapshots

  • Bridging Information Gaps in Dock and Yard Operations

  • How Intelligent Sensor Solutions Turn Data Into Action

  • Order picking Solutions: Understanding Your Options

View More

Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

GET YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2021. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing