Used Forklifts for Sale

Below are some common questions regarding forklifts:

Must employees be trained to drive forklifts? YES, all employees operating a forklift must be trained. There are three categories that need to be addressed. There is a general, classroom type training, a practical, hands on training and a visual evaluation of the operator’s skill.

Is it mandatory to have a professional trainer on staff? NO, anybody who has the knowledge and experience can evaluate forklift operations and conduct training.

Is there a license or certification required to operate a forklift? Forklift operator certifications are generally good for 2-3 years, but each operator should have an evaluation of their performance during the initial training and then refresher training after the initial training. Forklift training certification, OSHA approved, provides the operator with an understanding of the safe and efficient operation of forklifts while complying with OSHA regulations.

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Today we are going to talk about our most important priority which is safety. Forklifts are extremely dangerous machines and there are many injuries and fatalities nationwide as a result of both negligence and lack of training. It is an OSHA law that each forklift operator is trained and certified prior to operating a forklift. This becomes an important factor if there is an injury and both the operators and management can be fined by OSHA if this is not taken care of. We at Decker Forklifts train all of customers and operators at their request and we have a certified trainer in house we will train them both at your location or ours in our conference room with lunch provided.  Please take a look at the certificate that is awarded to those who successfully completed the class.  The class is taught with both hands on and classroom information. The hands on information is very practical and through in speaking about the sights of line, sights of vision, sounds, being aware of all the different activities going on in the area such as pedestrians as well as many of the most common accidents that may occur on the forklift. The classroom is taught with video as well as brochures and at the end of the class the drivers are all tested to make sure they are competent in these areas.  As soon as the forklift operators begins after the class is taught, further day to day training is required due to the complex nature of operating a forklift. Thank you very much and please call Decker Forklifts for any of your forklift purchase or training needs.

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Forklift operation is a specialize job that requires training and authorization from your employer. It is estimated that tens of thousands are inquired or killed a year due to misuse or lack of forklift training. Procedures and protocols need to be exercised and taken extremely seriously when operating any type of forklift or heavy machinery. To reduce accidents training must be implemented and practiced. 

Reasons to have a certification in place:

Forklifts saves time and increases productivity.
Forklift training prevents accidents.
Forklift training prevents inventory losses.
Maintaining forklift equipment will take less time and money.
Proper forklift training also protects the machines from damage.
Forklift training helps your company stay competitive.
Forklift training builds morale among forklift operators.

Along with proper training and certifications there are reasons for retraining.

Involvement in an accident or near miss.
The operator is observed driving in an unsafe manner.
The operating conditions or the equipment changes.
Every 3 years.

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Forklifts can be very useful when used properly; however, they can be very dangerous at the same time.  We have outlined some precautions on proper forklift safety measures:

1. A person operating a forklift must be over the age of 18.
2. Inspect the forklift before using.  Daily checks should consist of checking to make sure there are no leaks, horn, back up alarm, lights and brakes.
3. Inspect the load.  Checking the load you will attempt to lift for damage will be essential in order to prevent accidents or injuries.  Pallets should be not broken and loads should be securely fastened.
4. Use an assistant. While traveling in a forklift, a person on foot can help maneuver the forklift to ensure nothing is damaged or no one is hurt.
5. Do not block your vision with the load.  Keep the load out of your line of sight.
6. Do not allow people to walk under a raised load.
7. Do not operate the forklift while on medication that causes drowsiness. 
8. Do not smoke while operating a forklift.

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Over turned forklifts is extremely serious and extremely dangerous! Forklifts are not a game or a toy and should be taken very serious.  If for some reason you are experiencing an overturning forklift, always stay inside the cab when a forklift overturns, do not attempt to jump clear.  Overturning forklifts can cause serious accidents and even result in death.

Each establishment should require proper forklift training before any unauthorized personnel uses the forklift.  The proper training and the proper checklists will help employees understand the rules and proper steps in order to keep themselves safe as well as others.

Next week: General Forklift Safety

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A forklift is a workplace vehicle, and operators and employers are encouraged to keep a daily checklist and to put employees through forklift training.  Forklifts can mean great things to the bottom lines of companies.  Forkifts were and designed to help lift, carry and stack heavy loads.

Forklifts are used in workplaces such as warehouses, factories and freight terminals to perform most of the heavy lifting and stacking.

This week’s Forklift Safety:

Over Turned Forklifts:

Make sure all drivers of your forklift have the proper training and safety and make sure operators understand that forklifts are not a game or a toy.  Statistics report almost half of all people injured by forklifts are struck by a forklift driven by someone else. Below we have outlined how a forklift can overturn:

1. Driving too fast
2. Making Sharp unnessecary turns
3. Driving with a rasied load
4. Any type of work on a slope or incline

 Next week: What to do if a forklift overturns.

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Why it’s important to train your forklift operators?

Forklift operation can prove to be very costly if a good training program is not n place.  Forklift training is necessary in order to keep everyone safe.  A good forklift training program produces knowledgeable, confident forklift operators. Having a good training program can lead to more productivity on the job and lower your operating costs.  Skilled operators are less prone to accidents that cause injuries and damage property.

Forklifts can mean serious business.  Having a good forklift training program in place before use can only prove to be beneficial.

See if you can identify more of the bottom line benefits of operator training.

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Warnings and Precautions when using a forklift:*Know your forklift – Operate a forklift with the proper training and under supervision. *Check your forklift – Your forklift should be properly maintained and conditioned.  Check your forklift before using.*Keep body inside at all times – Forklifts are not a toy and they need to be treated with the outmost respect.  Forklifts can be extremely dangerous.

*Never overload – Forklifts are designed and made for certain weight restrictions.  Check the proper weight the forklift you are using can handle.  Do not attempt to add more to the forklift.

*Be visual of your surroundings – Forklifts are not a toy nor should the forklift be used to in ‘fun’.  Forklifts need to be used for their intended use only.

*Avoid sudden jerks/movement – Forklifts should be handled with extreme caution and with the outmost care.  Turning, lifting, etc., should be done with precision.

*Stabilize your load - Check your loads and make sure the loads are secure and stable.  Do not attempt to lift loads that are awkward or obtuse.  Make sure all other foot traffic is clear from the forklift while in use.

*Use work platform – Never lift pedestrians.

*Forklifts should be shut down properly with all the safety measures in mind.  Do not leave the key in the forklift as unauthorized personnel can do damage to themselves, others or merchandise.

*Never allow or advise the use of the forklift to any particular persons who are not authorized
 or have no experience using one. 
 
Are you interested in new or reconditioned/used forklifts?Decker Forklifts offers a variety of used forklifts that will help in any situation.