Tag: Operator Safety

Southeast Industrial Equipment offers industry leading training and management programs to keep your facility, warehouse, and operator safety up to date according to OSHA regulations and ANSI standards. We offer monthly operator safety training at our local branch locations as well as offer on-site trainings for your business. Subscribe to our email list to get updated training dates and visit our training and management pages to learn more.

SIE Supports the 5th Annual National Forklift Safety Day June 12th 2018

Posted on by Juliet

FIFTH ANNUAL NATIONAL FORKLIFT SAFETY DAY 2018

“Safety is the cornerstone of our industry, and operator training is a major component in reducing worker injuries and fatalities,” said Brett Wood, president and CEO of Toyota Material Handling North America and chairman of ITA (see full article.)

June 12, 2018 is the fifth annual National Forklift Safety Day. Created by the Industrial Truck Association (ITA), National Forklift Safety Day is an annual event for the forklift industry to emphasize the importance of operator training and the safe use of forklifts.

Southeast Industrial Equipment’s main focus is to ensure that we provide our customers with the top of the line and safest material handling equipment in the industry. It is imperative that all operators are properly trained to operate the lift trucks they handle costly materials with day in and day out. SIE offers in-house operator safety and certification training at our Charlotte, North Carolina and Duncan, South Carolina forklift dealership locations on a monthly basis. We also offer the convenience of training your operators on-site at your location and numerous train the trainer programs where you become the trainer to save time, damages, accidents, money and more.

TMHU President Jeff Rufener said, “Toyota’s number one priority is to create safe products, so we’re naturally big supporters of National Forklift Safety Day. Implementing safety audits and training in your organization can reduce injuries, while preventing loss of resources and lowering maintenance costs.” (Modern Materials Handling article on National Forklift Safety Day)

For more on forklift safety in the workplace, check out the resources below.

https://www.toyotaforklift.com/blog/forklift-pedestrian-safety-tips-increase-awareness-in-your-work-space

https://www.toyotaforklift.com/blog/know-your-forklift-trip-points

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

https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9828

You Can Never Be Too Safe – The Benefits of Safety Equipment.

Posted on by Juliet

When it comes to your business, safety should always be the number one priority. Safety is the key to creating and maintaining a productive and profitable working environment.

Under what’s known as the General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) employers are responsible for maintaining a work environment free from conditions that might cause death or injury. Employers whose workplace present dangerous conditions risk violating the General Duty Clause unless they take measures to lessen the danger. If that’s not scary enough, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reported there are 19,000 forklift/pedestrian incidents each year. On average, those incidents cost employers $38,000 in direct expenses and almost four times as much for indirect costs.

Southeast Industrial Equipment offers an affordable safety package complete with fire extinguishers, back-up alarms, and strobe lights. Together, these inexpensive additions are a great way to help reduce the chances of forklift accidents.

Fire Extinguishers

While OSHA does not require forklifts to be equipped with fire extinguishers, quick access to one can be the difference between life and death! Fire extinguishers are an especially wise option on LP-Gas forklifts operated in areas containing flammable liquids.

Back-up Alarms and Strobe Lights

Workers die every year from being backed over by vehicles. From 2005 -2010, forklifts ranked fourth in the number of these fatalities. Back-up alarms are one of the most valuable tools for preventing forklift injuries and fatalities. While some back-up alarms automatically adjust their volume to be greater than the ambient noise of the facility, workers can become immune to repetitive sounds. Some PPE dampens noise, further limiting the effectiveness of the alarm. This means back-up alarms are best used in conjunction with visual alarms, like strobe lights or blue lights.

Strobe lights on forklifts let everyone in the vicinity know that a truck is present. The flashing lights provide a visual warning system alerting employees of the whereabouts of the truck. In work environments where noise levels are elevated and back-up alarms might go unnoticed, lights provide an additional layer of protection to employees.

Blue Safety Lights

If you’re truly committed to safety, consider upgrading to the blue safety light. The blue light shines on the floor in front of or behind the truck, telling pedestrians not just where the truck is, but where it’s going. Most importantly, the blue light can be seen around corners and blind spots, drastically reducing potential for collisions.

“It is better to be safe than sorry.” It’s cliché because it’s true. When it comes to protecting your business and employees, you can never be too safe. Contact SIE today to discuss how we can help you protect your employees and your business.

9 Ways To Prepare Your Forklift For Summer

Posted on by Juliet

“Employers have a responsibility to protect their employees from the brutal summer heat, but protection also significantly impacts the bottom line, since productivity notoriously slows down during the summer,” says Terry Wickman, President of Keytroller.” Keeping your forklift operators safe from the summer heat ensures better productivity for tomorrow and years beyond.”  Not only does heat directly affect the employees working in it, but it can also affect the equipment they need to get the job done. Here are a few things to keep in mind as the summer temperatures continue to rise and how to prepare your material handling equipment.

Forklift Safety in the Summer HeatChances are you’ve heard of heat strokes and exhaustion from the sun, we as humans can experience but, do you know how the heat affects your forklifts and material handling equipment? As aforementioned, paying extra attention to your machinery can prevent a less productive workplace. If a piece of equipment isn’t working properly, due to heat, it can hurt the employees and customers and it is not likely that safety will be the first thing on an operator’s mind when maneuvering your facility. While keeping your application as cool as possible for your operators and associates, let’s start with the obvious ways to prevent equipment mishaps.

  • Overheating: Just as too much heat can cause internal issues with us; it can do the same with forklifts. Therefore, it is important to keep your cooling system, in an internal combustion forklift, in tip-top shape.
    • Be sure to keep coolant fluid levels up to, at least, the minimum level. Failure to do so could result in engine damage.
    • Regularly replace and replenish coolant liquids. The liquid deteriorates and the chemicals can cause further damage to the coolant system mechanisms.
    • Check the radiator for any damage. Cracked or malfunctioning radiators can cause the pressure to drop drastically which causes important coolant flow, overheating, and possible leaking. This depressurization can also cause damage to the transmission.
    • Check radiator hoses for cracks and tightness because heat enhances the effect of cracking and deterioration of rubber. If you notice a radiator hose is loose or cracked, replace it ASAP.
    • Internal Combustion Forklifts – regularly check filters and oil to ensure that your forklift is ready to operate in the heat.
    • Electric Forklifts – High temperatures of the summer cause concern for excess corrosion and low fluid levels. The extreme heat causes evaporation of the battery fluids which can lead to a decrease in the length of your forklift’s life. Avoid this by making sure that you have the correct level of water in the battery cells and that the PH is right for the battery.
  • Tires – As mentioned before, heat enhances the effects of cracking and deterioration in rubber.
    • Pneumatic tires – It is important to check the pressure in the tires, because when the heat raises so does the pressure in your tire. It’s never a bad idea to let a little bit of air out in the summer.
    • You should always check to make sure that your tires are properly inflated, no matter what season it is, especially in the summer. Doing all of these things should help prevent a blowout.
  • Maintenance – No one wants to lose time or money, so it is super important to be on top of your maintenance schedule during the summer.
    • Performing regular inspections and maintenance is key to preventing the majority of heat-related issues with your forklift and material handling equipment.

No matter the season, it is always important to inspect your forklift before beginning any job. Inspection can save everyone a lot of trouble. Remember to always make sure you’re ready for a safe shift so you can get your job done quickly and enjoy some fun in the sun!

Beat The Heat Summer Service Special

Forklift Operator Holiday Gift Giving Guide – TMHNC

Posted on by Juliet

14 gift ideas bows

It’s the holiday season and if you are looking to find a gift for a forklift operator, look no further! Toyota Material Handling Northern California put together a fantastic list of “14 Great Gift Ideas for Forklift Operators” – Senior Vice President, Mark Andreas

This year Santa himself is riding a forklift Santa on a Forklift Ornamentto deliver gifts to everyone on the nice list! Why not buy a gift for your forklift operator / operators with these great ideas including our favorite : this “Star Wars” inspired t-shirt. forklift operator t-shirt

TMHNC has even given practical accessory options and more! If new equipment is on your associates’ wish list then you have come to the right place! Southeast Industrial Equipment has a “nice list” of new equipment in stock and ready to purchase/lease! Contact us today to take advantage!

From the SIE family to yours, Happy Holidays!

 

 

TOP 5 Forklift Safety Additions

Posted on by Juliet

Safety Additions to Forklift

The top 5 forklift safety additions to add to your lift truck are paramount in ensuring the safety of everyone in and around forklifts in your facility.

Southeast Industrial Equipment takes safety to another level for our customers by offering a centralized parts department with over $2 million in inventory ready to add the following 5 things we think you need added to your lift truck.

  • Toyota Genuine Blue LED Safety LightThe Toyota Genuine Blue LED Pedestrian Light is one that we recommend added to every lift truck we sell, lease, or rent to our customers because of the ease of installation and the low sale price. It is a low-cost item to add to any lift truck that will ensure the visibility of these pieces of equipment backing up out of an aisle, trailer, etc.

Submit A Parts Request

  • Somewhat new to the market is the Red Zone Danger Area Safety Light. The red zone light projects a safe zone red line on the floor at your desired distance away from the lift to which pedestrians should not cross when in contact with a lift trucRed Zone Danger Lightk. It is clearly visible on any indoor floor surface and ensures the safe distance of individuals to prevent accidents while in use. The red zone danger area safety light is easily installed to lift trucks and plugs directly into the lift. It is installed on the overhead guard and can be placed on all four sides.

Submit A Parts Request

  • Safety Warning LightsOSHA requirements for this safety accessory vary by application. The strobe light, or beacon, flashing light is only required by OSHA when pedestrians can see the light projected. For example, if you are operating your lift trucks outdoors during the daylight, there is no need for this part. Most, if not all indoor applications will require the lift truck to have a strobe light attached.

Submit A Parts Request

  • back up alarmIn noisy to very loud environments a back up alarm may or may not be of use for a lift truck but in most applications it is very helpful to operators and pedestrians letting them know a lift truck is coming. Whether alerting pedestrians of the lift truck backing up out of an aisle or pulling out of a trailer, the back up alarm for lift trucks are one of the most popular features on our lift trucks.

Submit A Parts Request

  • When operating a vehicle, what is the one thing that immediately comes to mind that you can use to loudly alert others of danger? Your horn, of course, which is why it would feel bare if an operator did not have the option to innately beep a horn when near pedestrians or other potential hazards. A number of Toyota forklift models have an optional rear assist grip which has an option to add an additional horn to. Any type of noise alert that can be administered to let oncoming traffic and pedestrians know that the lift truck is coming will reduce the risk of injury and accidents in the workplace.Rear Assist Grip with Horn

Submit A Parts Request

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE!

Check out the optional safety package we offer on all of our used forklifts.

USED EQUIPMENTOptional Forklift Safety Package

In addition to our large inventory of used equipment for sale or lease, we have over 1,000 rental units available at competitive daily, weekly, or monthly rates.

Submit A Rental Request

 

National Forklift Safety Day

Posted on by Juliet

Safety is our top priority here at SIE and June is National Safety Month. We encourage our associates, operators and customers to practice safety at all times when in contact with material handling equipment. As part of National Safety Month the Industrial Truck Association sponsors National Forklift Safety Day annually on June 14th and Southeast Industrial Equipment believes that

A safe workplace starts with safety training.

SIE offers a full line of training options whether you need to keep in compliance with OSHA regulations, operator training, forklift safety training, on-site or in-house training and more. Southeast Industrial Equipment is showing support by offering our safety training class held on June 24th, 2016 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Our in-house classes are held throughout the year at our Charlotte branch location 12200 Steele Creek Road Charlotte, NC 28273 in the Southeast Industrial Equipment training room. This course offers a range of safety training opportunities from OSHA Compliance to Train-the-Trainer.  Contact us for more information and to book your spot today!

Toyota Material Handling Inc., U.S.A. has created a “Forklifts and Pedestrian Safety” guide to highlight common pedestrian hazards when dealing with material handling equipment.

For information about our safety training class and all other training opportunities, please contact us.

Call (866) 696-9125 to speak to one of our skilled Territory Support Managers.

E-mail us at contacts@sielift.com.

National Forklift Safety Day 2016

 

National Safety Month: https://www.nsc.org/act/events/Pages/national-safety-month.aspx?utm_medium=(none)&utm_source=(direct)&utm_campaign=NSM

Industrial Truck Association: https://www.indtrk.org/

Toyota Forklifts : https://www.toyotaforklift.com/

A Safe Lift Needs a Safety List 5 NEW Forklift Safety Tips

Posted on by SIElift

Consider this – cars need oil changes and tires aligned on a regular basis to ensure reliability, safety, and efficiency. Much like cars, forklifts need to be regularly maintained and can be done with a Planned Maintenance schedule. Not only will Planned Maintenance help extend the life of your forklift, it will decrease downtime, increase productivity and increase efficiency. During a Planned Maintenance appointment safety features are checked thoroughly, parts lubricated, fluids leveled, and much more. Facilities and operators rely on forklifts for daily operations, therefore, having even one machine down could be detrimental to the days success.

In August of 2013 a man from Macon County, North Carolina died from CO (Carbon Monoxide) emissions. The North Carolina division of Occupational Safety and Health determined the CO was being emitted by a liquid propane gas powered forklift. It was emitting such high levels of CO that people outside the facility could have been exposed. Performing preventive maintenance would have caught the leak, and may have prevented this tragic loss of life. In material handling, safety is the number one concern for companies and operators.

The type of planned maintenance your forklift needs depends on the type of machine you have. There are gas and propane units as well as electric.

ForkliftSafety

Here is where the NEW – yet old faithful – forklift safety tips come into play…

Forklift maintenance and safety is key, however at Southeast Industrial Equipment we also believe that training the operator of your forklift is just as important. If not more. When your warehouse, distribution center, or facility is poorly lite, loud, and/or has narrow aisles you need highly trained operators to keep the entire operation as safe as possible. Here are some tips to keep everyone from your operators, to pedestrians in and around the forklifts safe at all times.

  1. Be aware of your surroundings
    • Additional safety lights should be added to your forklift for greater visibility and pedestrian awareness.
    • Utilizing the forklift back-up alarms and horns to let everyone around you know you are approaching.
    • Being space-conscious when working in and around narrow aisles whether your operators are working side by side on different lift trucks or they are around customers in facility.
  2.  Utilizing Forklift and Fleet Management Technology
    • T-Matics is Toyota’s Fleet Management system that can measure and manage accountability of your operators as well as the damages done to your machines. Keeping costs down and safety at the tip of the spear.
    • The customization options for forklifts are endless. To keep individuals off the machines that should not be on them technology can added to our forklifts to keep the lift from starting if it is not the operator that drives that specific piece of equipment.
  3. Knowing the Correct Forklift Capacities and Sticking to the PM Schedules
    • In demanding situations it is easy to disregard the forklift lifting capacity. Not only is it unsafe for everyone around the unit, it is unsafe for the operator because of instability.
    • Recognizing necessary repairs and sticking to a Planned Maintenance schedule will help increase safety and decrease accidents in the workplace.
  4. Choosing Safe Everyday Practices
    • Eliminating slip, trip, and fall hazards so that pedestrians and equipment can maneuver around the facility with ease.
    • Having associates and operators wear appropriate clothing such as, reflective vests or steel toe boots can immensely increase safety in a facility.
  5. Only Trained and Certified Operators Operating the Forklifts
    • By-pass OSHA and other fines by training operators for the specific forklift they will be operating. Maneuvering a sit-down counterbalance forklift is much different than a stand-up order picker or man-up lift. We offer Train-the-Trainer courses, safety training, and on-site operator training, as well as, many other programs. OSHA requires it and SIE offers it!

President and CEO of Toyota Material Handling North America, Brett Wood, predicts how important safety is and will be in the future of the material handling industry:

“[…] safety design, ergonomic design, productivity factors. If you combine those three together, together they work together in the forklift of the future. If you have a safe, comfortable operator you have a productive operator[…]” – Brett Wood President/CEO Toyota Material Handling North America

 

… According to Toyota Industrial Equipment no matter what type of lift truck you have, you need to have the following preventive measures taken:

  • Ask for Operator concerns/input
  • Clean Machine
  • Clean Grease Fillings and Lubricate
  • Check Upright Assembly
  • Check Parking Brake Operation
  • Check Service Brake Operation
  • Check/Fill Master Cylinder
  • Inspect Brake Pedal Linkage
  • Inspect Hydraulic Cylinders and Hoses
  • Check Tilt Cylinder Anchors
  • Inspect tires
  • Clean or replace hydraulic sump breather
  • Check and lubricate shafts and levers
  • Check steering for operation
  • Check lights, horns, backup alarm and gauges
  • Inspect data plate and decals
  • Inspect safety seat belts and hood latch
  • Visually inspect Load back rest and Overhead guard
  • Check battery; add water and clean
  • Check battery cables and receptacles
  • Check/fill transmission/differential oil levels
  • Check/fill hydraulic oil level.
  • Check Fork Wear/Chain Wear/Carriage wear

Note: Some preventative maintenance items that are performed for specific types of lift trucks are not listed.

Southeast Industrial Equipment has maintenance programs to fit the needs of your lift truck. SIE is dedicated to help maintain the safety and performance of your facilities forklifts. For more information please call us (866) 696-9125 or visit our website at www.sielift.com.

Parker, Brittney. “Forklift ruled likely cause of farm tragedy.” Macon County News 08 08 2013, n. pag. Web. 14 Jan. 2014.

“Forklift Planned Maintenance.” Toyota-Lift of Minnesota. N.p.. Web. 15 Jan 2014. link to article.

SIE Infographic

Posted on by Juliet

Southeast Industrial Equipment is your full solutions provider of the material handling industry. From new or used equipment to training operators and associates, you can look to SIE for it all. Please enjoy the information provided in this infographic and please contact one of our Territory Managers available at (866) 696-9125 to help find which piece of material handling equipment is right for your application, email us at contacts@sielift.com, or visit one of our Local Branches.

infographic

Toyota 2015 Product Launches

Posted on by Juliet

Ready for the New Toyota Products Launched in 2015? Southeast Industrial Equipment attended the RDAC 2015 conference and came back with a wealth of knowledge after taking part in a hands on product launch of the new Reach Truck, 80-Volt Electric, and a High Capacity Internal Combustion forklift. The product launches culminate months of product development, with eight new Toyota models and services introduced in the last two years. For more information contact a territory managers at one of our local branches.

New Reach Truck
Toyota’s new 9 series Reach Truck features more than 500 engineering changes to increase quality, reliability, and durability. The Reach Truck is available in 2,500-4,500 pound capacities. With world class engineering and dependability, Toyota’s new Reach Truck is the perfect solution for your warehouse. Toyota’s Reach Truck comes in single and double reach models to help you utilize your warehouse space more efficiently. Choose between 24-volt or 36-volt power as well as battery compartments as short as 14.5 inches to as long as 21.5 inches. Longer maintenance intervals and the numerous engineering improvements make the Toyota Reach Truck the elite warehouse solution!

New 80 – Volt
Toyota’s new 80-Volt Electric forklift is available in 4,00-7,00 pound capacities and functions similar to the mid electric pneumatic forklift. No longer do you need an internal combustion forklift for your big, rough terrain, outdoor jobs. The 80-Volt is designed to work outdoors, reduce maintenance, improved ergonomics and increased productivity, and are proven to have twice the run time as the 38 and 48-Volt models. It features the largest battery of Toyota’s electric forklifts while producing zero emission.

New High Capacity IC Forklift
Toyota’s New High-Capacity IC Pneumatic Forklift is the largest forklift in Toyota’s product line. With a lift capacity up to 72,000 lbs., this large, rugged forklift can handle almost any heavy load. Commonly found loading and unloading large shipping containers or on the construction site, the High-Capacity IC Pneumatic Forklift provides lifting solutions for extremely heavy applications. This forklift demonstrates that Toyota is truly dedicated to it’s role as a full-line supplier and solutions partner for our customers.

Make The Move.

Posted on by Juliet

Are you ready to Make The Move?
When choosing your career path as a technician…

  • Why choose material handling equipment?
  • Why further your education as a technician?
  • Why choose Southeast Industrial Equipment?

The material handling industry may not be the first industry that comes to mind when thinking of becoming a long-lasting, superior service technician. Here at Southeast Industrial Equipment, we ask why? SIE is a leading Toyota forklift dealership that is dedicated to quality of all lines of equipment that we offer. This leads to unparalleled opportunities for technicians interested in becoming part of an industry-leading company. Whether starting out as a PM Technician on all pieces of equipment or training to become a product specialist, we have a home for technicians seeking a dynamic driven career. The ever-growing material handling industry is one that is dedicated to excellence where you have the ability to play a part in the long lasting relationships we create with our customers. You, as a technician, carry on that relationship being the go-to person of contact to service our customer’s equipment. Through numerous training opportunities we ensure that you are continuously learning more and more about each line of equipment we offer at SIE.

At SIE our technicians have the opportunity to work in the shop or in the field making a career as a technician full-filling, exciting, and challenging. We are constantly on the search for service professionals with a wide variety of skills in mechanical repair to work on all lines of our material handling equipment.

We have earned our reputation for service excellence with one of the nation’s most highly trained and recognized forklift and industrial equipment service, repair, and maintenance teams. When our customers have a problem, we have an entire fleet of service vans and trucks ready to respond in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. We provide our service technicians with all of the parts and training needed to make our customers’ repairs and maintenance on site – minimizing downtime and restoring production as quickly as possible. If circumstances dictate, we arrange for quick transport of their equipment to one of our nine forklift service facilities in Charlotte, Raleigh, Wilson, Columbia, Florence, Duncan, Charleston, Richmond, and Savannah for more extensive diagnostics and repairs. Our customers come first and you have the ability to ensure their needs are met on time and with pride with the many resources provided.

It’s not just a uniform it’s a career path that offers job security within a huge market, training programs with intensives, and the opportunity to work for family owned and oriented company.

Make The Move.

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