Forklift Battery Dangers
Electric forklifts are the main choice by numerous warehouses or supply outlets which have to transport equipment and heavy things into and out off storage. These battery-powered machinery could quietly run on big batteries and could lift heavy loads. Typically, warehouse employees are responsible for recharging the batteries or swapping them out during a shift. Though these batteries have been designed and developed with safety as the main concern, there are still several problems a handler needs to know and stuff to be prevented when in the vicinity of the batteries.
Weight
Depending upon the type, several forklift batteries could weigh as much as 2000 lbs. or 1 ton, even more. Clearly, these extreme weight factors require mechanical assistance so as to safely charge and change the battery. Roughly 50 percent of all injuries related to forklift batteries are caused by incorrect lifting and moving these heavy pieces of machinery. Sometimes jacks, specialized carts, or even other forklifts are used in order to transport and move heavy batteries. The overall success of using these pieces of equipment will really depend upon how the handler securely affixes the battery to the cart. Unfortunately, serious injuries could happen because of falling batteries.
There are strict protocols within the industry which describe when and how a lift truck battery should be charged. Nearly all companies have extensive rules and policies describing the safest way to remove the lift truck battery in a safe and efficient manner.
Corrosives
It is vital to know that lift truck batteries are filled with corrosive liquids which need proper safety measures followed in order to handle them. Two of the most common kinds of lift truck batteries include potassium hydroxide and sulfuric acid. These are both extremely corrosive materials that could result in chemical burns to the skin, hands, face and eyes.