Forklift Accidents

A forklift tipover is the number one accident involving a forklift. OSHA’s Office of Data Analysis examined 53 investigative case files involving powered industrial truck fatalities that occurred between 1980 and 1986 and found that the single largest accident was vehicle tipovers.

Top Four Accidents

These tipovers—both forward tip and side-to-side tip—occurred in many ways:

• The powered industrial truck was out of control, such as speeding
      or driving with elevated loads.
• The operator tried to make too sharp of a turn.
• The vehicle skidded on a slippery surface.
• The operator ran over a raised object, such as wood or curbing.
• Forklift capacity was exceeded.

The second highest accident in the report occurred when employees were crushed between a vehicle and surface. These accidents were caused by:

• An operator driving with their leg hanging out and then sideswiping
      racking or a wall.
• Elevating people on platforms and crushing them against an
      overhead surface.

The third highest accident was getting hit by a falling load. This is where the load is unstable, it is then lifted into the air and it falls on someone below. The operator of a forklift is ALWAYS responsible for the loads they carry, whether that operator stacked the pallet or not. If the load is unstable, get off the forklift and restack it, wrap it, or band it.

The fourth highest number of accidents was caused by lifting people up on the forks of a forklift. The most common mistake here is when people get on an empty pallet (or no pallet at all) and stand on 3-inch wide forks while being lifted in the air with no guardrails around them. If someone were to lose their balance, there is nothing to keep them from falling to the concrete floor below. Remember, the concrete will survive the fall, the person probably will not. There are other means to lift personnel into the air, such as orderpickers or scissors lifts that have the appropriate guarding or restraining systems to keep people from falling.

The report points to many more accidents; these are the top 4. What do all of these accidents have in common? Most, if not all, were operator error. Faulty forklifts accounted for only 4 percent of accidents. A forklift tipover alone accounts for almost 26 percent of all forklift accidents. When I do a training class, I tell the operators that 99.9 percent of tipovers are completely avoidable. I do allow 1/10 of 1 percent for

earthquakes. My point is: the operator has control over the forklift. As you read above, a forklift tipped over because the operator was doing something wrong…

• turning on a ramp
• turning with an elevated load
• running over a raised object
• carrying too heavy a load
• speeding over un-level ground
• driving off a dock
• not adjusting or slowing down for unsafe surface conditions.

Source of Oil Contamination in Toyota LPG Fuel Regulators

Technicians regularly discover oil build-up in the primary (B) and secondary (C) chambers of Toyota LPG Regulators. These contaminants are “Heavy Hydrocarbons” that won’t vaporize when circulated into the regulator. They accumulate there, bake and eventually will cause engine performance issues such as hard starting, rough idle, low power, etc.

These “Heavy Hydrocarbons” are present in all LPG fuel to some degree. HD-5 spec fuel limits H-HCs to .05mL per 100mL of fuel. To prevent “Heavy Hydrocarbons” from gumming up the works, any accumulation should be drained routinely from the regulator (at every PM service is recommended). A drain valve is an available option to make this a tool-less operation.

Drain Valve Part #:23569-U1100-71

Aftermarket Open House – September 29

Thompson and Johnson is pleased to announce our “Aftermarket Open House” on Friday, September 29, from Noon to 4 p.m. We will be highlighting our Parts, Service and Rental Departments. This event is designed to help you better maintain your equipment and to illustrate how we can help you achieve that goal.

Our Parts Department will showcase its capabilities, including our $1.5 Million inventory, and Toyota’s Parts Support through the OEM and Starlift Program. Displays will include: Pallet Jacks, Back-Up Alarms, Warning Lights, Seatbelts, Tires, Lubricants, Cleaners, and Toyota Remanufactured Parts. Explanations for determining the proper Tires, Hydraulic Oil and Grease to use in your application will also be part of the presentations.

Our Service Department will have displays for Training (Technical Training for Mechanics; Safety Training for Operators and Trainers). There will be an area to see how a typical T&J Service Van is set up to service our customers, along with an area display that will review our PM Options and the Reports available to our Full Service Accounts to help them manage their fleets.

Our Rental Department will display some of the Specialty Equipment we have available for rent, including large capacity forklifts (LPG, Diesel, Electric), specialty attachments, scrubbers, pallet jacks, order pickers and reach trucks.

Lunch will be served from noon to 2 p.m. Snacks and refreshments will be available until 4 p.m. Throughout any of the mini-seminars that will be presented, you are encouraged to ask questions.

Please confirm your attendance by emailing us at sales@thompsonandjohnson.com, or by contacting your Sales Representative. We look forward to seeing you.

Crown 2300 Walkie Pallet Truck

The Crown series 2300 walkie pallet trucks set the industry benchmark for reliability, serviceability and durability.

The 2300 models provide unmatched maneuverability with optimum control delivered with power and simplicity. Load capacities up to 4500 lb. are transported by a rugged 24-volt drive system. Additionally, reduced steering effort, smooth operation and two levels of programmable travel contribute to worker productivity.

To learn more about the 2300 series, please contact your local Thompson and Johnson representative and see why Crown builds equipment with the lowest overall cost of ownership in the marketplace.