Forklift 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 out of and into storage. These machines are battery powered with large batteries allowing the lifting of heavy cargo. Normally, warehouse employees are responsible for swapping out the batteries or recharging them during a shift. Even though these batteries have been developed and designed with safety at the forefront, there are still some issues a user has to be aware of and stuff to be prevented when near the batteries.
Weight
Depending on the type, some forklift batteries could weigh up to 2000 lbs. or 1 ton, even more. Clearly, these extreme weight factors need mechanical assistance so as to safely charge and change the battery. About 50% of all forklift battery-related injuries result from incorrect moving and lifting these heavy pieces of equipment. Sometimes jacks, specialized carts, or even other forklifts are used in order to move and transport heavy batteries. The overall success of using these pieces of machine would truly depend on how the handler securely affixes the battery to the cart. Sadly, serious injuries can occur due to falling batteries.
The industry has strict protocols which describe how and when the forklift battery will be charged. The majority of companies have extensive rules and policies describing the safest way to remove the lift truck battery in a safe and efficient way.
Corrosives
In order to handle them, it is essential to realize the battery is filled with corrosive liquids which require you to follow safety measures. Two of the most common lift truck battery kinds include sulfuric acid and potassium hydroxide. These are both very corrosive materials that could lead to chemical burns to the skin, hands, face and eyes.