Warehouse - United Kingdom Warehousing Association

38 Forklift TrucksTaking precautionsMost of the UK has so far escaped the arctic conditions that brought the country to a standstill last year,but there are other weather-related problems that can impact on the performance of a forklift truckMost of the UK has so far escaped thearctic conditions that brought thecountry to a standstill last year, butwinter isn’t quite over and could still causeproblems for businesses according to a leadingsupplier of fork lift trucks.Briggs Equipment is urging companies totake another look at their winter preparednessto avoid any unnecessary downtime orexpense.“So far the winter has been relativelymild, but this is no excuse to skip on somebasic measures to ensure that your fork lifttrucks and other materials handling equipmentcontinue to run smoothly in all weathers,”explained Dean Mansell, EngineeringStandards Manager for Briggs Equipment.“The majority of our clients have alreadytaken precautions but companies that haven’tmade plans may have got away with it sofar, but they really do risk being caught out ifthe weather takes a sudden turn for theworse.”A few basic checks recommended byBriggs include:• Make sure the coolant system in enginetrucks has a suitable concentration of antifreeze.• Ensure oil and other lubricants are kepttopped up to keep the truck running smoothlyin the cold.• Check that the service schedule on alltrucks is up to date and carry out dailychecks on significant components.• Make sure that all outdoor areas wheretrucks operate are kept free of ice and snow.• Ensure that operators know how to use theequipment safely in adverse conditions.Dean continued: “It is vital to note thatbatteries in electric trucks will not operate atmaximum efficiency in very cold weather, soadditional charging time will need to beplanned for. It’s also worth keeping in extrafuel on site in case supplies are disrupted.”Even if the UK avoids a big freeze, thereare other weather-related problems that firmsshould be aware of. Heavy rain can lead toa muddy working environment and it isimportant that trucks are cleaned regularly toavoid becoming clogged up with debris suchas dead leaves.Dean’s final comment: “Remember thatthe equipment is only as effective as theoperator, so make sure they are suitablyequipped to face the conditions, with warm,waterproof clothing.”Any businesses that are unsure of justhow prepared they are can contact Briggs foradvice on 03301 239814 or emailinfo@briggsequipment.co.uk.The company also offers a range ofequipment and accessories, including snowplough attachments, to ensure the minimumof disruption should the country face arepeat of last year’s big freeze.February 2012www.ukwa.org.uk