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While pallet jacks might not seem as dangerous as a forklift, both of these machines have their own set of safety hazards.The required maintenance of these machines also carry a risk.In addition to all of that, the possible hazards you might encounter when dealing with a load of products requires even more safety precautions.The first step towards avoiding these problems is adequate training for the operator.In the end, however, the only true precaution is a collaborative effort between the operator, company, and everyone who works in and around the equipment.

Concerns With Forklift Batteries

The batteries require a lot of the same maintenance as other vehicle batteries.

The amount of use these batteries receive, however, means this maintenance, including replacement, removal, and recharging, occurs more often.The dangerous acids and other ingredients they contain means handling them with the utmost of care at all times.Ventilation is needed to prevent the inhalation of dangerous fumes and protective clothing is needed to protect against contact.This could be a special system installed into the building to remove the fumes and pump in fresh air, or it could be opening large garage doors.Other items to have on hand include a well-stocked first aid kit, an emergency shower, and eyewash station.Be sure they are easily accessible as well.

Equipment In Ill-Repair

Before each shift, the operator should inspect the pallet jacks or forklift very carefully to ensure everything is in good repair and looked after.

Breakdowns dealing with important systems such as the hydraulics, steering, or breaks could cause very serious accidents quickly.Tires are another component that could cause problems.If they are worn unevenly or have flat spots, the machine will not carry the load evenly, increasing the possibility of having the load tip or fall.

Provide everyone who works with any of these machines with a comprehensive checklist that outlines a full inspection.The operator should follow this before each shift and stop using it as soon as he or she notices something out of the ordinary.It should stay parked until it is fully operational.

Increase Risk Of Collision

Pallet jacks run a constant risk of running into things and running over the feet of the operator or a passerby.

A forklift also has these same issues.With the movement of large loads and basic inattention to their surroundings, injury and death are a very real hazard.Adding systems such as backup tweeters, lights, and horns can help warn others of the machine's movements.It also helps to eliminate pedestrian traffic in areas where moving equipment operates.Lastly, operators should move loads while driving in reverse to increase their visibility.

Unstable Loads

Loads themselves are not as dangerous as a load elevated to a particular height.

Loading the pallet correctly is half the battle.It is important to educate others about how to stack the products and check them for stability.The stability should also be checked and the load should be wrapped with plastic before using the forklift to raise the load.Caution is also needed with pallet jacks since they can jerk the load.It also helps keep the load from falling by ensuring that the flooring is maintained.Uneven flooring and surface flaws should be repaired as soon as possible.Finally, ensure equipment operators are able to distinguish the difference between loads that are stackable and those that are not.

These safety concerns are just a few of the issues that face businesses requiring the use of pallet jacks or a forklift.Education, careful decisions, and the ability to identify tragedies before they occur are the only way to prevent accidents in the workplace.

About the Author

Christine O'Kelly writes for RHI Lifts, a leading provider of pallet jacks.

Chicago customers and those throughout the country have access to the Illinois forklift dealer's full line of storage and handling equipment.

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Is your organization ready to address future staffing needs Planning for the future through employee coaching is a great way to know, without assuming, who is ready to move up the corporate ladder and who should move on.Whether youre an executive, a manager or a team leader, the following information will be beneficial to you.

Even employers with the best of intentions are guilty of assuming too much.As they see workers of different ages, genders and racial makeup working side-by-side, they might think that this one fits in a group that wants to multitask at a fast pace because she is young, while her counterpart from another generation is interested in slowing down.

As we learn from experience, assumptions are often wrong.That young person may prefer devoting her attention to one workplace issue at a time, while her older co-worker is the multi-tasker.Many things, including life stages, could affect each of them.And if a leader changes work assignments based on erroneous assumptions, he could end up with disgruntled or absent employees, high turnover and unfinished projects.

The only truly effective method of managing diverse employees is to look at each one as an individual and to understand what motivates them.Then, coach them regularly to get the behavior you want.

Last month we stressed the importance of coaching and how effective coaches connect with individual employee needs.Supporting our goal of knowing what it takes to engage our workers and coaching them regularly to higher performance levels is research we conducted with The Concours Group and Age Wave.The findings, published in the manual WHY We Work, helpfully define six different segments of employees working in our organizations.This research found that different groups of people need different things to remain engaged on the job.This finding is widely relevant because most organizations, especially large ones, contain some of each group.

Briefly, the six worker segments include:
1.
Fair and Square Traditionalists, who make up the largest part of the workforce at 20 percent.They are loyal and traditional, as their name implies, and want their work to provide stability and a secure future.
2.Stalled Survivors, who represent 19 percent of the workforce.These workers see their jobs as a necessity.It is not the most satisfying part of their lives.These are often a firms younger workers.
3.Accomplished Contributors, about 17 percent of the workforce.These loyal players often go above and beyond.They place a high value on teamwork.
4.Demanding Disconnects, 15 percent of our workers.As their name suggests, they are the least satisfied with work and the least committed to it.
5.Maverick Morphers, also about 15 percent of the workplace.These workers are generally young, like excitement, and do not fear taking risks.
6.Self-Empowered Innovators, about 14 percent.These employees make up the most engaged segment of the workplace and derive personal satisfaction from the job.

As Baby Boomers retire in larger and larger numbers, the workforce will contract.That means you will have a smaller pool of potential employees to choose from, and they will reflect all of the differences you see in our changing society.To succeed at coaching and managing, employers will have to study their workforce more intently than they did before and learn what makes them tick.

You are likely seeing these different segments in your workforce now, and perhaps did not fully understand the transformation taking place or realize how widespread the changes were.Now that you know, why not take the time to find out what your employees want on the job

Assessments can aid you in identifying job fit and worker satisfaction, which can lead you to the best segment makeup for your organization.

They can tell you which employees are well suited to their positions and which ones might benefit from a change.Once you know your employees, you will know which ones work most productively together and the combinations that could lead to disaster.And as your organization delves more deeply into coaching, your leaders will thank you for charting the territory in advance.
About the Author

Jim Sirbasku is co-founder and CEO of Profiles International, a leading provider of human resource management solutions and employment assessments for businesses worldwide.

Learn more about how assessments can help your organization

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