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Warm and dry fork lift drivers. Good H&S or just being soft?
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Posted By James Perry
Ladies and Gents
I am after a resonable opinion on the provisions necessary for a yard fork lift driver.
Our trucks all have covered roofs and glass windscreens, but have the fabric sides which are normally fixed with velcro.
We are receiving complaints about rain getting into these through the seals (or when not fixed properly) and that the cabs have no heaters / blowers.
Clear/good condition widscreens maintain good visibility and the rest of the truck is fine.
All operators have individual PPE issued and replaced as necessary inc. waterproof coat, fleece, waterproof trousers, boots, gloves, wooly hat.
Is there any duty on us to fully enclose the cab or provide heaters at a high cost for a risk already mitigated?
I welcome your opinions.
Regards
Jim
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Posted By Jasonjg
Don’t know your location or yard layout but I think they are soft. (they will want CB radios next)
Lots of whys and past experiences but I suspect in a safety forum, I am going to get slammed by those whom have never driven a flt.
If they dress properly when coming to work and you supply the jackets for all weather as well as a roof, windscreen and even side panels they should be fine.
I have always hated heated cabs as they used to make me lazy, sleepy and go into auto mode in an flt, which is more dangerous than a bit of cold or the odd wet spray.
I am interested to see what other previous flt drivers have to say on this also as it may just be me (I always drive with my window down in the car and have heating very low to off which cheeses my passengers right off).
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Posted By Sean Fraser
I agree with Jason.
The FLT is not equipped with a heater and I would presume that you would only find delux versions have this (ours certainly don't). Our people have the kind of PPE you mention and they just get on with it. If they have reasonable waterproofs, the water isn't restricting visibility and it is draining out OK, then where is the problem? It is safe enough and cares for their welfare sufficiently.
For those in Scotland, remember that the smoking ban includes inside these cabs. NOW there is a potential flash point . . . (pun intended)
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Posted By Alexander Falconer
Never drove a FLT in my puff, however I have got to agree with previous posting, puting heaters/systems inside cabs' is overkill, not to mention increasing the risk of drowsiness.
Try working in a fresh produce company where drivers have no side panels or windscreens, working outside in all weathers. The drivers were delighted when I provided additional PPE (thermal slalopettes) to wear with their already provided jackets.
We must be a hardy lot p here in scotland!
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Posted By Paul Price
I am a fork lift driver and the companies health and safety officer . A heated cab !! What a luxury if only.We had an agency driver who refused to work because of a lack of heating. Is the driver outside for a full shift or does he have somewhere to keep warm ?As far as I am aware there is no duty to supply anything that you have stated .
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Posted By TBC
I agree with all - you've done enough Jim. They are provided for, warm and as long as they get enough breaks to get a hot drink then that's it.
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Posted By Descarte
Maybe worth considering that cold fingers are more susceptable to HAV
Is this true also for WBV? I dont know
Have you done monitoring for WBV (or even HAV) on your FLT's?
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Posted By Merv Newman
I've had my trucky licence for 20 odd years. companies usually provide warm coats for yard workers and that's it. (actually, yard managers usually get the first warm coats) Anyway, truckies are usually supposed to be hard guys (and dolls, if I may) minus 20 ? 6 foot of snow ? hurricane Tony ? Let's get that lorry loaded !
While we are on a FLT theme, what is the best height for the forks when moving ? And why ?
Merv
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Posted By Linda Crossland-Clarke
Merv
It depends on ground conditions.
Anyway I don't concentrate very well when I'm cold, so I'm all for a bit of heating. Dare I admit it... I used to carry a baked spud around, everyone took the proverbial, but they fought over it when I put it down.. LOL
Linda
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Posted By Innes Gray
If you enclose the driver in a cab would not it be treated the same as working in a enclosed place IE your office.
So Lets switch off your heating in your office , give you a set of thermal underwear and a nice Yellow jacket to ware
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Posted By John Webster
Heat the cab and the driver dispenses with warm and wet weather clothing. Now what happens when he needs to get out to check the load or adjust fork spacing etc? The temptation is to stay in the cab on a foul day and press on regardless.
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Posted By Miss B
ARE YOUR CHAPS MADE OF SUGAR?
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Warm and dry fork lift drivers. Good H&S or just being soft?
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