Lift truck Battery Dangers
Electric lift trucks are the main choice by a lot of supply outlets or warehouses that need to transport equipment and heavy products into and out off storage. These battery-powered machines could run quietly on big batteries and can lift heavy cargo. Typically, warehouse personnel are responsible for recharging the batteries or swapping them out during a shift. Although these batteries have been developed and designed with safety as the priority, there are still some issues a handler needs to be aware of and things to be prevented when in the vicinity of the batteries.
Weight
Depending upon the model, several forklift batteries can weigh up to 2000 lbs. or 1 ton, even more. Clearly, these extreme weight factors need mechanical assistance so as to safely charge and change the battery. Approximately 50 percent of all injuries related to lift truck batteries are caused by incorrect moving and lifting these heavy pieces of machines. At times jacks, other forklifts or even specialized carts are utilized so as to move and transport heavy batteries. The overall success of using these pieces of equipment depends on how safely the handler affixes the battery to the cart. Sadly, serious injuries can occur due to falling batteries.
There are strict protocols in the industry that describe when and how a forklift battery must be charged. The majority of businesses have extensive policies and rules describing the safest way to remove the lift truck battery in a safe and efficient way.
Corrosives
In order to handle them, it is vital to know the battery is filled with corrosive liquids which require you to follow safety precautions. Two of the most common lift truck battery kinds include potassium hydroxide and sulfuric acid. These are both very corrosive materials that could result in chemical burns to the skin, hands, eyes and face.