Forklift Precautions In Cold Weather

Cold weather brings additional hazards to forklift operations. During the winter season, it's crucial to stay vigilant about factors like temperature, snow, sleet, and ice, which can impact both safety and performance.

Cold Weather Hazards For Forklifts

Slips And Falls

Outside is cold. Inside is warm. For a forklift operating in both areas, these changes in temperature will cause condensation to form on the forklift. Operators entering and exiting the forklift must watch for slippery steps and handles to avoid slips and falls.

Shoveling snow and salting pavement with ice is vital when forklifts perform outside. Not only can an operator slip and fall, but most forklifts are not built to drive on these surfaces. Heavy loads and fast speeds increase the risk for an accident.

Weakened Forklift Production

Electric forklifts face as much as a 25-50% decrease in cycle times during cold weather. The harsher temperature affects the battery’s electrolyte, causing it to thicken and struggle to achieve the chemical reaction needed to power the forklift. Equipment powered by LP fuel is not immune; it is affected when the battery to its engine is weakened. For gas and diesel forklifts, cold temperatures produce hard starts and require more fuel to operate. If a tank is low on fuel, condensation can form inside, causing the forklift to sputter or stop.

For all forklifts, freezing temperatures thicken their oil, similar to the consistency of honey. This will affect hydraulic-powered features, lowering the amps and causing functions to slow down.

Employee Health

Forklifts can produce harmful levels of carbon monoxide that linger in the air like a toxic cloud. Closed windows and dock doors reduce ventilation, increasing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning for employees. Regularly testing air quality and forklift emissions is a cost-effective way to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.

Additionally, employees should dress in layers to adapt to fluctuating temperatures and reduce the risk of frostbite. It's important for each person to listen to their body and recognize signals to slow down or take a break. Just like forklifts, our bodies require more energy and calories to function in cold weather.

Consider cold weather solutions for your forklift, relying on ProLift for maintenance programs, service, and repair.