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Talking About Welding Equipment and Techniques

Hi there. I’m Nina. Welcome to my website about welding. The process of welding together metal takes a lot more than a hot iron and some metal wire. There are many different machines and practices people use to carefully and skillfully weld together metal. With the right techniques, you can create truly beautiful welds that hold up to the test of time. The strong metal welds are often stronger than the two metal pieces they join together. I would like to use this site to talk about the different types of welding equipment, techniques and safety gear used for this exciting industry. Thanks for visiting.

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Talking About Welding Equipment and Techniques

Safety Tips for Operating Pallet Jacks

by Matias Keranen

When you own a warehouse that stores merchandise and supplies for your company on pallets, you need an easy way to move the pallets back and forth from shelves and trucks. Your list of essential supplies for material handling when you start your business should include manual pallet jacks. However, in order to make sure you do not damage your supplies, injure yourself, or hurt others, you need to follow some basic safety and operation procedures when operating a pallet jack.

Personal Safety

While a pallet jack performs a fairly simple task—moving pallets from one place to another—the device can be dangerous if loads are not handled properly.

You and your employees need to wear personal protective equipment when operating the pallet jack, including

  • heavy-duty work shoes with steel toes to protect your feet
  • work gloves
  • a warehouse worker lifting belt for back support

To remind workers of safety issues handling a pallet jack, make sure to include the safety rules in your employee handbook, provide an orientation for using the device to new employees, and post basic rules in a prominent place in the warehouse.

Also, while it may seem like a fun thing to do, never allow your employees to ride around on a pallet jack or stand on it.

Remove Hazards and Obstacles

The floors of your warehouse should be kept clean and smooth so you can easily push pallet jacks over surfaces.

  • Avoid stacking supplies and placing equipment in walkways.
  • Keep aisles wide.
  • Clean up wet floors right away to avoid having someone slip while pushing a pallet jack.

If you have to move merchandise down several aisles or a long distance across the warehouse floor, check you route before you begin the move. You want to make sure that there are no obstacles in your way. If the load is tall, ask a coworker to help guide you as you maneuver the pallet jack.

Handling and Operation

Never overload pallet jacks. The devices come with specifications for how much weight they can hold. Do not go over the limit. If you are unsure about the rated capacity for a pallet jack, check the user's manual.

When you load the device, make sure the cargo is spread evenly over the width and length of the jack's surface. You want avoid spills, as the handle of the jack can whip around if the device turns over.

Always begin pushing or pulling slowly when moving a pallet jack to avoid straining your shoulders and back. Keep your feet from under the device.

Before you begin loading a pallet jack, inspect the device for defects such as cracked or worn-out wheels. If there are controls on the device, make sure that they are responsive before moving a load. Be careful when moving around corners or tight spaces to avoid injuring your hands.

Do not let employees who are not trained to use the jack operate the device.

If you reuse pallets, make sure to check them for defects such as rotting wood and loose parts. Take the defective pallets to a recycling facility to be repurposed instead of putting them in a dumpster.

Storage and Maintenance

Your owner's manual should have instructions on how to lubricate the pallet jack. You should also schedule periodic inspections of the device. Ask your pallet jack supplier for advice on inspection schedules. The supplier can also provide you with the accessories you need to lubricate and clean the jack.

When you are not using your jack, keep it in a safe, dry place away from walkways. Some pallet jacks are foldable and can be stored in small closets, under shelves, or on sturdy racks. Contact a representative from a company like Garland's, Inc. to learn more about pallet jacks or to place an order.

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