Tag: pallet jack rental

How To Safely Use a Pallet Jack

The pallet jacks at Adaptalift Store are an extremely useful item to have in your warehouse. It’s a relatively inexpensive piece of equipment that will save your employees time and energy as they transport goods throughout your facility. However, the pallet jack is also incredibly dangerous if used improperly. Injuries can occur from falling loads or from being crushed by the pallet jack itself, so it’s important to take safety into account when using the equipment. Here Are Some Tips On How You Can Safely Use Your Pallet Jack: 1. Keep your load low The most common cause of injuries involving a pallet jack is when a load falls off of it. To prevent this, always keep your load as close to the ground as possible. If you need to carry something that won’t fit on a standard-sized pallet, you’re better off transporting it on a hand truck or another type of equipment designed for that purpose. 2. Make sure your load is secure Before moving anything with your pallet jack, make sure that the load is secure and will not fall off during transit. It should be centered on the forks and not extend past the edges, and all four sides should be stable and secured with shrink wrap or other strapping materials if necessary. 3. Always use the right tool for the job Pallet jacks come in many different styles and sizes. You should select the one that best fits your needs. Always keep in mind that smaller pallet jacks are designed to move lighter loads, while larger ones can handle heavier loads. 4. Observe capacity limits Be sure not to exceed the maximum load capacity or height of your pallet jack. Exceeding the capacity limit can cause damage to both you and your equipment. If the load is too heavy for the pallet jack, do not attempt to lift it with just one person; have someone help you instead. To determine if a load is too heavy for your pallet jack, check either its weight or center-of-gravity (CG) rating. 5. Learn the Basics Before you begin using a pallet jack, you need to understand its basic components and functions. A pallet jack has two forks that are slid under a pallet for loading onto the equipment. Then, the operator uses the handle to push or pull the load wherever it needs to go. It’s important to know where all of the controls on the handle are located because they vary depending on the manufacturer. 6. Load Safely When loading items onto a pallet jack, always keep your back straight and bend at the knees so you aren’t putting too much pressure on your spine. In addition, make sure you keep your feet shoulder-width apart for better balance and grip. The Basics of Pallet Jacks Before you can use a pallet jack safely, you need to understand how it works. These jacks come in two basic varieties: power-driven (motorized) and manual. Power-driven models are more expensive up front, but they save you time and effort since you don't have to pump the handles. Manual models are less expensive and usually easier to maintain, but require more effort from your staff to operate them. Prepare The Pallet Jack Before you begin moving any product, it is important that you inspect the equipment. Look over the handle, the forks, and any other moving parts for damage or wear. If the pallet jack has been damaged, do not use it until it has been repaired. It is also important to make sure that you have the correct type of pallet jack for your load. Check its capacity against the weight of what you are lifting. If needed, use multiple pallet jacks instead of trying to fit too much onto one machine. Make sure to adjust the forks for your load so that they are centered between them and there is no risk of damaging them during movement. Finally, add enough trucks or other blocks underneath your load so that it will not drag on the floor as you move it across the rented warehouse. Read Also: 6 Types of Equipment You Need in Your WarehouseWhich Type Of Forklift Your Industry Need: Have A Look At Them!