Check List to Check your Lift

Safety Checklist

Safety Checklist

A giant dent in your overhead guard is easy to spot at first sight, but what if there was a tiny leak from your propane valve? Would you be able to easily spot that? Chances are a busy operator could miss it. Planned maintenance isn’t the only thing that can be done to keep your equipment running in prime condition. In addition to planned maintenance, your operators should go through the daily operation checklist before each shift to ensure the piece of equipment is safe to operate.

Not only is it required by OHSHA, but a log will also help your operators be more aware and keep them accountable for how they treat the equipment, cutting down on misuse. If the lift needs a repair make sure you have the proper procedure in place.

  1. Tag the equipment inoperable (WARNING! DO NOT OPERATE!), make sure it is visible.
  2. Immediately notify the appropriate party.
  3. Keep the phone number of your repair service or person on the forklift.
  4. Log what needs repair, when the repair was made, and how much it cost to fix.

Tracking how often your forklift needs repair, as well as the cost, will keep you cognizant of your cost of ownership. If the machine is often out of service perhaps operators need further training operating the truck.

The greatest way a checklist will benefit your business and operators is safety. A truck should not be used when it is unsafe for operation. Forklifts are an investment in your company, and cost thousands of dollars; therefore a daily operator checklist is an easy way to prevent accidents and injury without spending money. Remember these machines literally weigh tons, with many moving parts, thus it is important to keep them in optimal condition.

The following is an example of a checklist OSHA suggests for your lift truck:

KEY OFF Procedures

  • The vehicle inspection
    • Overhead guard
    • Hydraulic cylinders
    • Mast assembly
    • Lift chains and rollers
    • Forks
    • Tires
    • LPG tank and locator pin
    • LPG tank hose
    • Gas gauge
  • Check the engine oil level
  • Examine the battery
  • Inspect the hydraulic fluid level
  • Check the engine coolant level

KEY ON Procedures

  • Test the standard equipment
    • Front, tail, and brake lights
    • Fuel gauge (if diesel)
    • Windshield wiper
    • Heater

ENGINE RUNNING Procedures

  • Check the gauges
    • Oil pressure indicator lamp
    • Ammeter indicator lamp
    • Ammeter
    • Hour Meter
    • Water Temperature Gauge
  • Test the standard equipment
    • Steering
    • Brakes
    • Horn
    • Safety seat (if equipped)
  • Check the operation of load-handling attachments
  • Check the transmission fluid level

Visit OSHA’s website for more information.

https://www.osha.gov/dte/library/pit/pit_checklist.html

11,000 Ways SIE Supports the Community

Charity donations

Southeast Industrial Equipment is a family owned organization that truly cares about its associates and the community. “When Southeast does well, our associates do well, and in turn, our community does well”, said by Cory Thorne, President of SIE. 2014 was a tremendous year for SIE; therefore, Cory and the Thorne family decided to give back to the community in a BIG way! Each associate was given $250.00 to donate to the charity of their choice. Associates were given the opportunity to donate within their local community or to any program they felt a sense of duty to.

The Wounded Warrior Project, American Cancer Society, animal rescues, church programs, and camps for special needs children were just a few examples of charities chosen by our associates. One of our branches, Raleigh, collaborated and was able to donate $2,250.00 to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina! Organizations who received donations were over the moon and personally thanked not only Southeast Industrial Equipment, but also the associate who chose them for the donation. All of the associates who donated sent in a photograph of themselves handing off their gift to the program, these can be seen on our SIE Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SoutheastIndustrialEquipment.

During fourth quarter of 2014, SIE donated over $11,000 alone to charities and programs in an effort to increase awareness for those in need. Not only does the Thorne family care about its associates, they care about the communities around the Southeast and how they can positively impact their growth.  Southeast Industrial Equipment encourages you to go out and donate, whether it’s an hour of your time, monetary, or goods to a cause that you truly believe in. In 2015, SIE plans to continue donating to charities all around the Southeast and give to those programs that are eager for our support.

Toyota – Leader in being Green

greentoyota

“Toyota is committed to environmental responsibility, and it’s a role we take very seriously. Beyond pushing the bounds of product innovation, one of Toyota’s goals is to support environmentally appropriate and socially beneficial initiatives contributing to a cleaner environment.”

Brett Wood, Chairman of Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc.
https://www.toyotaforklift.com/pages/about-us/environmental-focus/reducing-our-carbon-footprint.aspx#sthash.FaOrtsFI.dpuf

Toyota Material Handling has always been a leader when it comes to protecting the environment. In 2009 Toyota introduced the first ever Hybrid forklift in Japan. It combines the best of electric and internal combustion technology, taking advantage of the strengths of each power source. The forklift combines an internal combustion engine, electric generator and battery in a design that allows the engine to operate with optimum fuel/emissions efficiency. The forklift shifts automatically between battery and engine modes, simultaneously recharging the battery during operation. The result is a forklift that cuts emissions in half and is twice as fuel efficient. They are always looking for innovative new ways to benefit the environment.

The 8-series LPG and Diesel lifts highlight Toyota’s leadership in being green. The 8-series exceeds federal EPA emission standards, and also complies with California’s emission standards. Emission standards in California are stricter than the federal EPA requirements. They’re more stringent on hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, which become smog, from vehicles. California also has requirements that older construction vehicles be retrofitted so that they operate cleaner, emitting fewer gases into the atmosphere.  The result for the LPG truck is 70% less smog forming emissions than Federal EPA standards. In addition, the 8-Series diesel models meet the more stringent EPA Interim Tier 4 emission standards, which means 26% less particulate matter than the Tier 3 standard. These machines increased the amount of recyclable parts used, as well as reduced the use of harmful substances during manufacturing.  Toyota didn’t stop there; for every new 8-series forklift that was sold in 2013 they partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to have a tree planted in a national forest damaged by fire or other natural causes. Over 30,000 trees were planted throughout the US and Canada.

Toyota’s energy-saving measures have enabled the company’s manufacturing plant to reduce CO2 emissions by 120,000 tons over the past five years. They are also a zero-landfill facility. Toyota encourages everyone to adopt green initiatives into daily applications. Even simple things such as carpooling or an energy-efficient lighting system can reduce our carbon footprint, and benefit the environment.

https://www.toyotaforklift.com/pages/about-us/environmental-focus/what-you-can-do.aspx

https://www.toyotaforklift.com/pages/about-us/environmental-focus/redefining-environmental-responsibility.aspx

https://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/fuel-economy/carb2.htm

 

https://www.toyotaforklift.com/pages/about-us/toyota-philosophy/environmental-focus/future-vehicles.aspx