6 Guidelines for Safe Load Use with Pallet Trucks

When using pallet trucks for handling and moving loads, staying within safe load ranges is the most important precaution to keep in mind. Overloading a pallet truck and operating it incorrectly increases safety risks, such as reduced maneuverability, mechanical damage, and tip-overs. Plus, it can damage the load being handled, which can create further safety hazards and result in product damage and financial losses.

Indeed, knowing how to use a pallet truck properly is crucial for the sake of keeping the workplace safe and avoiding any damage to both the equipment and the load. Here are some guidelines that you can follow to ensure that you’re staying within safe load ranges.

The first step to staying within the safe load limit is to know the pallet truck’s load capacity in the first place. This should be in the product specifications, but the truck itself should also have a data plate attached so you can access the information easily. Make sure to strictly stick to a pallet truck’s weight limit, or better yet, stick to an even lower weight limit to avoid overloading and overworking the equipment. If you’re unsure about whether your load is within your truck’s load capacity, you can make use of a weighing scale before stacking them up on the pallet. If you have a large load that you need to transport, consider dividing it into two trips or using a more robust type of forklift altogether to avoid incidents.

All operators should know the controls, weight limits, and maneuvering techniques of the pallet truck to avoid any workplace accidents. When it comes to managing the pallet truck’s weight capacity, it’s important for operators to know that the trucks are not meant to carry any weight besides that of the loads, and this includes their own weight. This means that standing on the truck, placing their body weight on the forks or on a pallet, or carrying other people on the cart should be strictly forbidden. This can disrupt the pallet truck’s balance and cause a tip-over, possibly damaging goods and causing workplace injuries.

Make sure that the weight of the load is evenly distributed on the pallet truck. Unbalanced loads can cause the pallet truck to tip over during transport, even if they are below the truck’s load capacity. Again, this can lead to product damage, injuries to the operator, and damage to the load truck itself.

Pallet trucks are best used on flat and even surfaces. Never load or unload a truck on sloping surfaces, uneven terrain, or slippery floors, as these can cause the truck to tip over during the loading process.

Still, uneven surfaces are sometimes unavoidable, especially in older warehouses that are not up to code or may have structural deficiencies. While you can carry loads with a pallet truck on uneven surfaces, it will be susceptible to tip-overs. Remember to use caution and go slowly to prevent any incidents. It’s also a good idea to put signs around uneven surfaces for all operators and plan out your route before you start moving your load to avoid the obstacles as much as you can.

Sometimes, accidents can still happen with pallet truck use even when you seem to have followed all safety precautions. To avoid workplace incidents as much as possible, it’s important to check if every part of the pallet trucks is in good condition. The braking system is especially important, as it can help operators take control of the truck before potential incidents even happen. To that end, make sure that the braking system is checked regularly during maintenance and during daily equipment checks.

Even when used properly, a pallet truck can start to wear down slowly over time. When this happens, its weight capacity also becomes affected, and it might not be able to carry its designated capacity quite as well as before. This can lead to incidents, even when the operator is following the pallet truck’s weight limit. Daily inspections are crucial to ensure that the pallet truck is still in top form. If a component is no longer in good condition, especially its wheels, forks, or handles, stop using it immediately and call for maintenance.

Pallet trucks are essential tools in a variety of work environments, such as warehouses, construction sites, and logistics hubs, but they need to be used correctly. Staying within safe load ranges is important not just to avoid damage to the truck and the load, but also to avoid injuries to the operators and their coworkers.

By following proper loading practices, understanding your environment, and observing proper maintenance of your equipment, you can drastically reduce the risks associated with pallet truck use. Safe handling is a habit that starts with awareness and continues through training, inspections, and mindful operation.