Safety Tips for Forklift Battery

Safety Tips for Forklift Battery

Forklift batteries are dangerous to handle in a few situations. Until now, there are many accidents from minor to major occurred with wrong handling, charging or discharging of the batteries. A person handling or driving forklift trucks should know the basics about the battery of the truck. Some threats are associated not with the persons life, but these are associated with the battery life as well. So in any case from charging to handling you need proper care and assistance. </p> <p>Few very important forklift battery safety tips required to know for every forklift handler and driver. </p> <p><b>Possible Hazards:</b></p> <p>The hazard can be categorized under four areas: Acid, Hydrogen Gas, Electric Shock and handling mistakes. </p> <p>Every employee and forklift driver under the work zone should be directed about these four circumstances. Acid can damage skin and your clothes. It can burn the skin and your clothes. Hydrogen gas can be more dangerous as it can cause an explosion. Electric shock usually occurs due to wrong terminals connection and touching the wires in a wrong way. Generally batteries weight is up to 900kg. Another possible hazard is holding batteries in incorrect way, which can cause back pain and muscle strain. </p> <p>Batteries can be dangerous even when charging. At the time of charging they emit arsine and antimony hydride. Both these can be dangerous for a person and the work environment. </p> <p><b>Check list of Personal Protections Equipment (PPE):</b></p> <p>Keep the emergency tool kit near you when washing or handling batteries. </p> <p><b>Gloves:</b> An employee should be careful when touching batteries. Make sure to wear gloves at the time of battery cleaning. The acid appearance on the surface of battery can injure your skin.</p> <p><b>Apron:</b> Protect your clothes from the acid by wearing a rubber apron. </p> <p><b>Face Shield</b>: Wear a face shield to save your face from electrolyte. </p> <p><b>Goggles</b> are necessary to wear when cleaning the battery to protect your eyes. </p> <p><b>Eye washer:</b> Electrolyte is very dangerous for the eyes. In case of emergency keep an eye washer near you.</p> <p>Keep checking and cleaning batteries time to time. The acid layer on the surface of battery can minimize the battery life. </p> <p>Before you attach the battery to the truck, positive and negative terminals should be carefully attached. Attaching same terminal can not only cause of electric shock, but it will also ruin the terminal and wires. </p> <p>You should have proper tools when checking, holding and cleaning batteries.</p> <p>Make sure that you dont touch the terminals when they are connected and current is passing through them. Many serious injuries and deaths were seen by this mistake.

For the trainers this is necessary to include hazard protection guidelines in the course.

Charging Guidelines:

If charging the battery, choose the appropriate place. The place should be non-greasy and smoke free. Prohibit anything that can ignite the gas, being generated during battery charging.

The batteries should not be over charged.

Charge them with the proper charger. Do not try to charge the battery with unmatched and inappropriate charger.

During charge batteries emit some dangerous substances, so keep the area risk free.

Adding all above guides to your work will not only save your life, but also will extend the battery life span.

Author Bio:

Mary is a professional author writing helpful content for various platforms. Currently she is working with Altus Forklift Rentals LLC in marketing department.