Lift truck Battery Dangers
The main choice of lift trucks for a lot of warehouses or supply outlets are electric models that are required to move equipment and heavy items into and out off storage. These devices are battery powered with large batteries enabling the lifting of heavy cargo. Usually, warehouse employees are responsible for recharging the batteries or swapping them out during a shift. Even if these batteries have been developed and designed with safety at the forefront, there are still several issues a user has to be aware of and things to be prevented when near the batteries.
Weight
Depending upon the type, several forklift batteries can weigh as much as 2000 lbs. or 1 ton, even more. Clearly, these extreme weight factors require mechanical assistance so as to safely charge and change the battery. Around 50% of all lift truck battery-related injuries result from improper lifting and moving these heavy pieces of machinery. Sometimes jacks, specialized carts, or even other forklifts are utilized in order to transport and move heavy batteries. The overall success of using these pieces of machinery depends on how the handler safely affixes the battery to the cart. Unfortunately, serious injuries could occur because of falling batteries.
The industry has strict protocols which describe how and when the lift truck battery will be charged. Nearly all companies have extensive policies and rules describing the safest method to remove the lift truck battery in a safe and efficient manner.
Corrosives
In order to handle them, it is vital to know the battery is filled with corrosive liquids that require you to follow safety measures. Two of the most common kinds of lift truck batteries include potassium hydroxide and sulfuric acid. These are both very corrosive materials that could lead to chemical burns to the skin, hands, eyes and face.