Forklift Battery Dangers
Electric lift trucks are the best choice by a lot of warehouses or supply outlets that need to transport equipment and heavy products into and out off storage. These battery-powered machinery could quietly run on big batteries and are capable of lifting heavy cargo. Usually, warehouse personnel are responsible for swapping out the batteries or recharging them during a shift. Even if these batteries have been designed and developed with safety as the main concern, there are still some problems a handler has to be aware of and stuff to be prevented when near the batteries.
Weight
Several forklift batteries could weigh as much as 2000 lbs. or 1 ton, depending upon the type. These extreme weights factors will require mechanical assistance to safely charge and change the battery. Roughly 50% of all lift truck battery-related injuries result from improper lifting and moving these heavy pieces of machines. Sometimes jacks, other forklifts or even specialized carts are utilized in order to move and transport heavy batteries. The overall success of using these pieces of machine depends upon how safely the handler affixes the battery to the cart. Unfortunately, serious injuries could happen because of falling batteries.
The industry has strict protocols which describe how and when the lift truck battery would be charged. Most businesses have extensive policies and rules describing the safest method to remove the forklift battery in an efficient and safe manner.
Corrosives
In order to handle them, it is essential to realize the battery is filled with corrosive liquids that require you to follow safety measures. Two of the most common lift truck battery types include potassium hydroxide and sulfuric acid. These are both very corrosive materials which can result in chemical burns to the skin, hands, eyes and face.