We’re in the Cold Weather season all right! Do your operators have up-to-date training knowledge to keep them safe?

Operating in heavy weather requires a behavior adjustment. Skilled operators can ‘switch gears’ fast enough, but that’s a learned skill like most others.

This is why Heavy Weather Operation is part of all equipment safety training classes at Forklifts Group. Our Heavy Weather Training covers:

• How & when to identify heavy weather conditions
• Adjustments to make based on the equipment, e.g. How braking and steering change on wet/icy surfaces
• Operational behaviors to adjust, e.g. where to focus, how to navigate ramps & outdoor yards
• Safety concerns to watch in the cold and heat

OSHA doesn’t address weather conditions in its regulations (with exceptions; see below). As such, some safety training programs pass it over. 

Not us. Weather is as big a factor in safe operation as a forklift’s tires. Forklifts Group takes the safety of its customers and their teams seriously. We didn’t have to include weather awareness in our training programs…but we did anyway.

What Forklift Operators Train for When it Comes to Weather

In our estimation, all operators should know how to:

1. Identify weather hazards as quickly as possible – black ice, wind shear, melted tarmac, etc.
    
2. Run a daily equipment inspection – with weather-specific checks – to make sure their equipment is safe to use.
    
3. Adjust operating behavior for weather conditions, such as cautionary driving on slippery surfaces, or additional focus in poor visibility.

Since we’re smack in the middle of Winter, let’s start by illustrating some Winter-Specific behavior changes our training often recommends:

• Cold weather directly affects key forklift systems like tires, hydraulics, and brakes. Therefore, add these to your daily inspection:
  • Hydraulic hose connections
  • Tire type used
  • Heater function
  • Wiper function
• Always check battery charge level at shift start. Nobody wants a dead forklift in the middle of a snowed-in yard.
  • Quick Tip: Never trust battery charge level on cold days for electrics. Any time an operator has 5 minutes, plug the forklift in!
• Add traction to slick surfaces: Spread salt/sand/grit.
• Clear the area: Plow snow, remove meltwater, and shovel ice out of the way.
  • Quick Tip: Check the gutters around docks. Water and ice can build up there out of sight.
• Add a warm-up break to the daily routine. Make it mandatory that at least once a shift, operators must go to a heated area (like a break room) to warm back up.
• For Supervisors: Watch for signs of cold stress in your team. These include confusion, slurred speech, and loss of coordination (even briefly).

(The full training includes more checks & adjustments, of course. You’ll have to sign your operators up to get the full package.)

During Winter Operation—These are points we emphasize operators learn & follow:

1. Increase your following distance.
2. Deploy additional lighting around the facility & yard.
3. Watch for hidden hazards – meltwater around dock sides, black ice patches, snow sliding off roofs (we’ve heard stories from customers of this happening!).
4. If weather is active (snowstorm, blizzard, high winds) send spotters out to direct around low-visibility areas.
5. Keep an eye on each other’s attire. If someone isn’t well-covered, suggest they add a layer.
6. Double-check tire stability on scissor & boom lifts before raising.

Summer behavior changes aren’t too different from Winter. Just designed for keeping the body & equipment cool, instead of keeping them warm. Summer-Specific Behaviors include:

• Hot weather can affect forklift tires, controls, and chains. Therefore, add these to your daily inspection: Tire integrity, cab fan/AC, control responsiveness, and mast raising/lowering.
• Use open cab forklifts whenever possible.
• Add cool-down & hydration breaks to the routine. At least once a shift, if not two.
• Supervisors should watch for heat stress. These include a dazed look, slowed reaction time, and an inability to cool down.

During Summer Operation—It’s all about staying cool without losing productive time. These are practices to follow:

1. Monitor your time outside. Keep it as low as possible.
2. Monitor the forklift’s thermostat closely. They’ll overheat too.
3. Use breathable clothing at all times.
4. Sunscreen! It’s so obvious that people sometimes forget.
5. Keep watch for forklifts stuttering or forks jerking.
6. If a spot in the yard shimmers, notify a supervisor of possible melt.
7. Drive slowly over uneven surfaces. The surface can become unstable with too much heat, making a slip more likely (with no warning).

Trained Operators Maintain Forklift Safety in Winter (and Summer)

Much of this seems like common sense…and to a well-trained operator, it is. That’s the reason for including it in safety training. Operators who know instinctively what to do when the temperature drops (or spikes) work more safely and help others stay safe.

Does your training program take the time to cover heavy weather? If not, it’s time to call Forklifts Group.

Until next month!
-The Forklifts Group Team

Deal of the Month

2024 Doosan G25N-7 LPG - $31,956

For our January Deal, we have one of the best trucks for visibility and stability in Winter! This is a Doosan G25N-7 pneumatic tire.

This is a 5,000# lift capacity four-wheel sit-down model, designed for steady operation across uneven surfaces. Its power and reach make it an easy choice for indoor/outdoor routes all day long.

Plus, this Doosan still has its full/powertrain warranty!

You can pick up this 2024 Doosan for only $31,956.

To get this Deal, call Forklifts Group at 800-464-3225 and ask for the January Deal of the Month.