WAREHOUSE SAFETY TIPS

Warehouse safety is an important part of forklift safety, and at Toyota we know that safety is not an option. It?s a standard. Warehouses and other forklift environments should be places where operators, pedestrians, and managers feel safe and secure as they work accomplish important tasks. It can be easy to forgo warehouse safety reviews once you?ve established that your forklifts are in safe, working order. But a truly safe environment is one where safety is part of the culture, where continual audits are taking place, and where everyone feels empowered to recommend safety improvements. Those improvements can include ways forklifts are used, ways pedestrians can increase awareness, and even changes to the structure or equipment in the warehouse. The following warehouse safety tips can help you evaluate various areas on your warehousing operation to might make associates safer while working on and around your material handling equipment. Warehouse Safety Tips: Conduct a Routine Warehouse Safety Audit Many safety issues will be checked on your forklifts during your daily walk-around . But safety in the warehouse means also taking care of as many possible hazards in the warehouse itself as possible. Here are some possible things you might add to a routine warehouse safety audit. Electrical Safety Ensure outlets function Install and maintain high-visibility lights Workspace Safety Clear aisles to remove tripping hazards Avoid slip and fall hazards by immediately cleaning spills Make sure all work areas are kept clear of clutter Fire Safety Remove any and all fire hazards Make sure extinguishers are easily accessible and in working condition Clearly mark all exits Make sure exits are free of obstructions Hazardous Material Safety Make sure eyewash stations are in working order Clearly label all chemicals Make sure the MSDS for all chemicals are readily available to all employees The above list is not exhaustive, but these points are vital to the continued safety of your employees. Additionally, all staff members should be given clear training on safety procedures in the event of a fire, accident, weather-related situation, or medical emergency. Safety regulations for warehouses are maintained by OSHA , and it?s important that you audit your warehouse to ensure that your workspace is compliant. Warehouse Safety Tips For Pedestrians: Dispelling Myths and Establishing Best Practices Operators might feel relatively safe walking around forklifts, right? Most people do. However, they may not be as safe as they think without proper precautions. Forklifts weigh as much as a bus, and even the most skilled operators do not always see pedestrians, making it highly unsafe to ever assume having the ?right of way? means you won?t be hit. Check out these five common misconceptions held by pedestrians when working or walking around forklifts. Dispel these myths, and your operations might be less likely to encounter unfortunate collision-related injuries and deaths. If you can see the forklift, the forklift operator can see you. Depending on what the forklift is carrying and where you are walking, the forklift operator may not be able to see you. Make eye contact whenever possible. If you have common sense, you?ll be just fine walking in a warehouse full of forklifts. Common sense, though valuable, is not enough to keep pedestrians safe while walking in a warehouse. Only forklift operators need to be trained in warehouse safety. As previously mentioned, common sense is not enough for pedestrians to be safe in the warehouse. Training for pedestrians in the warehouse is imperative in avoiding accidents. The forklift operator can stop the forklift at a moment?s notice, should a pedestrian walk out in front of one. Depending on what the forklift is carrying, it can be thousands, and even tens of thousands of pounds. Getting a forklift to stop can take a few seconds, which can be a few seconds too many if a pedestrian is walking in front of it. As long as you?re watching out for incoming forklifts, you?ll be okay in the warehouse. Unfortunately, being struck by a forklift isn?t the only thing that can happen in a warehouse, there are other dangers too. Training pedestrians will make them aware of all potential dangers. Developing a clear set of safety standards for pedestrians can help you dispel these myths and make safe pedestrian travel a part of your safe warehouse culture. Warehouse Safety Tips For Pedestrians: A Clean Warehouse is a Safe Warehouse With so many people, machines, and moving parts working together within the same warehouse, keeping your space tidy is critical to staying up and running ? and to maintaining a safe working environment for employees. Employees working in the same space as forklifts should be sure to remove debris from the area. Sawdust, packaging, and misplaced boxes or pallets can make navigating inside of designated areas difficult and increase the risk of slippage or tipover. There are also risks to the internal functioning of forklifts when a warehouse is cluttered. Many forklifts are designed with cooling systems that suck up surrounding air near the ground, exposing their cooling systems to unnecessary risk of damage due to debris being sucked up. Forklifts can be damaged and overheat, putting forklifts, operators, and facilities at risk of harm. Toyota IC forklifts are designed to limit such risks. The air intake is positioned strategically high on the right rear overhead guard leg to limit dust and debris from entering the air cleaner. Certain debris can also cause damage to a forklift?s steering or braking systems, which can jeopardize the life and safety of the forklift operator. Occasional floor debris is inevitable. And when tight ground clearance is necessary for stability purposes, it can be easy for debris to get caught by a forklift. However, maintaining a clean warehouse is as simple as instilling strong housekeeping principles within your operators and other employees. It is up to everyone to play their part in keeping the work environment clean and safe. Warehouse Safety Tips: Maintaining Floor Integrity Forklift safety also means keeping close watch on the state of your warehouse floor and other driving surfaces. Forklifts are heavy machinery and ignoring floor damages in your facility can lead to serious safety issues for operators. A forklift can weigh close to five times the weight of a Toyota Camry when it is carrying its full capacity. That?s 14,000 lbs. of heavy equipment driving on your warehouse floors. If the floor can?t support the weight of your forklift, an accident can occur at any moment. Many forklift operators? tasks require that they drive lifts onto trailers. Trailers with rotted and cracked floors should never be driven on under any circumstances. The risk of a fall through is too great and the safety of your operators will be put at risk. Floor loading specifications are available from your forklift manufacturer. Contact your local Toyota Dealer today with any additional questions. Warehouse Safety Tips For Pedestrians: OSHA Warehouse Lighting Requirements A warehouse with forklifts in operation poses enough safety risks without the added risk of it being too dark to see well enough. If it?s too dark to notice the equipment moving around or toward you, then you could be in serious danger. Let?s take a quick look at warehouse lighting needs: The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) provides its lighting standards in lumens, which are the International System of Units measurement for the total quantity of visible light that a source emits. According to OSHA, a warehouse space that utilizes heavy equipment must provide at least two lumens per square foot. An average living room typically uses 20 lumens per square foot, while a grocery store typically uses about 70 lumens per square foot. Think about the size of your warehouse and the safe operation of forklifts in that space when determining how to light your facility. Remember, obstructed visibility is one of the main reason for forklift accidents. A well-lit warehouse can help protect against operator error. Sufficient indoor lighting is important for smooth workplace operation, but let?s not forget about those forklifts that operate outdoors. If a forklift operator is working without the aid of sunlight, additional lighting in the outdoor workspace or on the forklift itself is critical.

Columbia battery care & maintenance

An electric vehicle depends on its battery pack as the source of energy that propels it to complete its mission. Proper care and maintenance of this pack can significantly increase its useful life and help keep the operating costs of an electric vehicle well below a traditional internal combustion engine. The following tips will serve as a guide for proper care of a Flooded Lead Acid (FLA) battery pack: -Batteries should be charged after each use. Avoid continuously operating batteries in a partially charged condition. -Distilled water should be used to replenish batteries. Particular care should be taken to avoid metallic contamination (iron). -Inspect battery cables to ensure they are intact and connectors are kept tight at all times. -Battery vent caps should be kept in place and tight during vehicle operation and battery charging. -For maximum battery life, batteries should not be discharged below 80% of their rated capacity. -If the vehicle will not be used for a period beyond a few weeks, charge the batteries, fill them and store the vehicle in a cool place that will not consistently be below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. -Avoid Charging at temperatures above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. -Only fill the batteries after charging, unless the plates are exposed. If they are exposed add water until acid covers the top of the plates by at least 1/8? and no higher than 1/4? below the top of the fill well. -If the charger is operating and you want to use the vehicle, unplug it from the wall before unplugging the plug at the vehicle so a spark will not be created near the batteries. -Wash the tops of the batteries often, to ensure batteries are clean and free of dirt or corrosion. -As batteries age, their performance and maintenance requirements may change. Older batteries will need to be watered more often. And, a decrease in capacity and range is to be expected. -Periodic battery testing is an important preventative maintenance procedure. Hydrometer readings of each cell (fully charged) gives an indication of balance and true charge level. An imbalance could mean the need for equalizing which is often a sign of improper charging or a bad cell. Voltage checks (open circuit, charged and discharged) can locate a bad battery when other methods fail. A weak battery will cause premature failure of companion batteries.

HOW TO OPTIMIZE YOUR WAREHOUSE STORAGE EFFICIENCY

As industries continue to evolve and grow, warehouse and storage spaces becomes more critical. Traditionally you may have expanded your warehouse and storage spaces laterally but with today?s economy, it has become more popular to expand upwards. Expanding your warehouse and storage spaces upward allows you to maximize the utilization of your current footprint while minimizing costs. The question then becomes, how are you going to best utilize this space for maximum productivity and efficiency? Do you have the equipment necessary to store the heavier loads in taller racking? Reach Higher Expanding your warehouse upwards can present challenges for your current equipment. Depending on the weight and size of your products, your existing forklifts may not be capable of lifting loads as high as you need them to. Toyota?s High-Capacity Reach Truck can assist in optimizing your warehouse so you can place goods in the most efficient storage locations. With a High-Capacity Reach Truck, you can reach heights up to 45 ft. That provides an additional 15 ft. of lift height compared to a standard Toyota Reach Truck. When reaching higher, you won?t have to sacrifice your view with a view-through carriage and overhead guard. Toyota?s High-Capacity Reach Truck is also available with an optional camera system and lift height indicators to assist with storage and retrieval accuracy at high heights. Reach Heavier The High-Capacity Reach Truck can lift loads as heavy as 4,500 lbs., giving you the versatility you need to optimize your warehouse. With the High-Capacity Reach Truck being able to lift 2,150 lbs. up to 42 ft., you can put those heavy loads up higher, leaving room down low for faster moving SKUs. The High-Capacity Reach Truck features a 7? touchscreen display that puts key information, programming, and diagnostics right at the operator?s fingertips. These features include a display of approximate load weight to assist in efficient moving from pick to pick. Providing you with the versatility to store your products where they make sense instead of where you can reach, the High-Capacity Reach Truck reduces your limitations in various industry applications.

BENEFITS OF MYFLEET

Managing multiple forklifts in one or various facilities is a challenge even for the most organized fleet managers. Managing a forklift fleet comes with unique challenges that requires tools for the best oversight. Toyota?s MyFleet is a one-stop, free-to-use, platform designed to help you manage your fleet easily and quickly at the touch of a button. Still don?t think it can be that simple? See the benefits of having a MyFleet account with Toyota. Manage Fleet Size Whether you?re operating across a few locations in one city or region or are operating across North America, MyFleet gives you the ability to add, move, and remove equipment from your fleet depending on your business? needs. You can easily view equipment specs and various options at the touch of a button, making it easier for you to focus on the productivity of your operation. Easily Order and Re-Order Parts Service and maintenance repairs can be costly, especially in terms of productivity. That?s why we want to make it easy for you to find the parts you need quickly and efficiently. Our MyFleet platform includes a parts finder for our online catalog that allows you to find parts for any Toyota Forklift by model and serial number, so you can shop an array of parts quickly. Then, buy those parts with a convenient checkout process, and a dealer will deliver them to your doorstep. Additionally, you are able to view your past parts purchases for fast reference and repurchasing. Manage Equipment Locations In addition to order capabilities, MyFleet allows you to manage and view the location of your forklifts as well as add new addresses if your forklifts frequently move to new locations. This increases your order visibility across all locations, making it easier for you to make accurate forecasting and bookkeeping calculation. To begin managing your forklift fleet using MyFleet, login or register on the MyToyota Store .

RECEIVE YOUR ELECTRIC FORKLIFT IN 15 WEEKS

Keep your operation up and running at peak efficiency by ordering today and receiving your forklift in 15 weeks! Toyota?s 3-Wheel Electric Forklift outpaces the competition where it counts. You can load and unload quickly, with unsurpassed lift and lower speeds along with a 40 percent longer run time on a single charge. Warehouse navigation is simplified with the Toyota 3-Wheel Electric Forklift. Easily control fork placement with smooth, responsive, progressive hydraulics on the mast . Appreciate the extra assistance of cornering speed control. Increased productivity carries the day.

Cascade Introduces the E-Series Forward Bin Dumper

Cascade is pleased to announce the release of the E-Series Forward Bin Dumper. Ideal for agriculture and food processing industries, this easy-to-use series features: Reliable bin retention Increased rotation (135º) Bolt-on forks for easy maintenance Reduced effective thickness A dual drilled frame for class 2 and 3 mountings For more information on the features and benefits of the Cascade E-Series Forward Bin Dumper, click here.

Combilift Lumber Yard Efficiency

Lumber Yard Efficiency: Capacity, Capacity, Capacity It?s simple: rising transport costs, challenges sourcing raw materials and increased demand from some customers will increasingly mean one thing: capacity is everything for a lumber yard. Yes, efficiency, sustainability and safety are absolutely essential factors but achieving greater capacity should be the goal of every part of an improvement plan. Thankfully the available ways of doing this are very straightforward, so this blog will look at: Better (and fewer) materials handling trucks: Using enhanced truck features, such as multipurpose capacity and longer battery life, is a key step to better results. Better yard layout: A properly analysed and executed layout means easier, quicker and safer access to the right materials at the right time with less damage. Better processes: Delivered as part of a yard layout assessment, simple and effective processes for an improved operation will deliver BIG when scaled across the months and years. Lumber Yard Efficiency: Better Trucks (and Common Errors) Some of the errors our experts are seeing, when it comes to choice of forklift for their yard, are errors lumber yard operators can no longer afford to live with. We?ve recently helped result issues with: Damage to raw materials: Increased efficiency will, by design, reduce product damage. The wrong choice of truck means, without the capacity to block stack and drive sideways, contact with other stock becomes harder to avoid. Also, too narrow a machine means more risk of bowing or damaging the wood. Too many vehicles: The unnecessary use of multiple machines simply adds further danger or bowing or damage. Our recommended truck (see below) as a first go-to is designed for indoor and outdoor use meaning fewer vehicles and reduced damage risk. Poor handling abilities: We?ve seen problems like trucks with poor battery and small format twin wheels being used plus lack of multi-directional operation and side loading capacity. Our specialists recommend that lumber yard professionals assess the C-Series multidirectional forklift and the Combi-SL sideloader forklift truck . Thanks to its long load capacity, outdoor-capable tyres and long battery run time the Combilift XLE 5,000kg capacity multidirectional forklift is a must-see. Lumber Yard Efficiency: Better Yard Layout Aside from the issue of capacity mentioned above, the easiest possible access to the materials you need when you need them is no longer optional for a modern lumber yard. Our video shows the problems a yard can experience when reaching the right stock, made worse by the use of an unsuitable truck, and the obvious safety and efficiency problems this causes. It?s worth repeating again that such issues are no longer affordable for lumber yards. Layout has also become a vital consideration as sourcing additional warehousing space is becoming more expensive and it is, by its nature, a finite resource!

OPPORTUNITY CHARGING BENEFITS IN THE WAREHOUSE

Being in a warehouse, and running forklifts through multiple shifts a day can be an extremely taxing job. You need to take time to charge and let them cool down, which in busy operations can be difficult. Now, with the emergence of lithium-ion batteries, opportunity charging is becoming more popular. But what is it? What is Opportunity Charging? Opportunity charging is available for forklifts with lithium-ion batteries and lead-acid batteries but is much better suited for LiB. With this method, the batteries can stay in the truck for multiple shifts while being charged. It also takes advantage of breaks to charge the forklift. This means, when your employees are on lunch, taking a break, or switching shifts, the forklift can be plugged in and charged. When the operator returns, the forklift will have enough juice until the next charging opportunity. While opportunity charging is still available for lead-acid batteries, it can have some negative side effects, such as shortened battery life, and increased maintenance requirements. Whereas lithium-ion batteries, it can actually extend the overall life, and there is no need for increased battery maintenance. What type of Warehouses Utilize Opportunity Charging? While opportunity charging is best used for multi-shift warehouses, you can schedule a warehouse consultation with your Toyota Forklift dealer to see if it would be beneficial for your business. But in a single shift cycle, you have plenty of time to allow the forklifts to charge when the shift is over. In a multi-shift cycle, you don?t have the benefit of time, so opportunity charging can be extremely helpful in reducing downtime. Considerations for Opportunity Charging Now that you know the basics of opportunity charging, you might be open to the idea. But before you can move any further, make sure you take these things into consideration: Will your operation benefit from opportunity charging? As we talked about before, opportunity charging is typically for multi-shift operations. See how much time passes between each shift break and if you find that some forklifts have downtime while you wait for them to charge, opportunity charging may be beneficial. What kind of charging stations do you have? Opportunity charging does require a specific charging station, so you won?t be able to use the same charging station as you used for your lead-acid batteries. This is an initial investment that your company will need to consider before they make a decision. Contact Dillon Toyota Lift if you have any doubts! We can be an excellent resource if you?re thinking about changing to lithium-ion batteries and opportunity charging. We will be able to help you understand if your business needs to make a change, as well as the proper location and process for when the changes are made. Keep in mind, opportunity charging won?t work for every operation.