Driving and operating a lift truck can be dangerous. Over 300,000 people each year are injured due to accidents that could have been avoided with proper training and safety measures. Before you add a new or used lift to your fleet, read over and take note of this list of frequently asked questions. It will give you an overview of what precautions and safety measures should be taken to avoid unnecessary hassle and trouble.

Do You Need Special Training Or Certification?

Because of the dangers involved with operating heavy machinery, it is a violation of Federal Law for anyone to operate a lift truck without proper training and certification. If you allow this practice to happen, it is reckless and an invitation for injury and lawsuits against your company.

Specialized training will teach you how to operate the machinery, teach basic safety rules, show how everything works, and how to handle problems and emergencies. Finding a training facility near you is easy. Just take a look through the phonebook or perform an Internet search.

Are There Age Requirements?

Operating a lift truck is not as easy as driving a car or pickup truck. There are special dangers associated with this type of equipment and as a result, the Fair Labor Standards Act prohibits forklift operation by workers under the age of 18 in non-agricultural jobs. So if you want to drive the lift truck at a construction site or in a warehouse, you need to be 18 or older. On farms and at agricultural job-sites, operators must be at least 16 years of age.

Do You Need a Special License?

You do not need a specialized license -- as you would to drive commercially, drive a motorcycle, or become a chauffeur -- to operate a forklift on private property. If the operation of the forklift is restricted to your own private property or warehouse, there is no special license required. If your work requires driving on a public street in the loading or moving process, you may need limited licensing. A standard driver's license usually will suffice. Of course, all municipalities are different so you may want to make a call or check online to find rules and regulations in your area.

Do You Need Special Insurance?

The short answer is no, adding another piece of heavy machinery to your fleet should be covered under your general business liability coverage. However, you will want to talk to your insurance company to make sure your current coverage can accommodate the new liability and new expenses. Thankfully, any increase in premiums should be less than it would cost to insure a new car or take out a new plan. You may be able to get a reduction in your premium if you are able to show that your company takes safety serious and includes certification or safety training for your forklift operators. At the same time, it is important to note that any claims made on your insurance due to a forklift accident by a non-certified driver will raise your premiums exponentially. One more reason to get your workers and yourself certified.

Forklifts are a valuable resource and needed piece of equipment it many businesses. If you're thinking of adding a lift truck to your fleet take into consideration the age of the driver, your insurance needs, and safety issues to make the most of this equipment.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_OKelly

Metal production experts use a variety of different techniques to produce customized parts, fittings, and other industrial and commercial solutions. Each technique produces a completely different product with different characteristics. Whether it is bar milling, sheet metal fabrication, or press brake forming, each has its own purpose and set of benefits.

Press Brake Forming

Using a computer operated press brake forming machine, which runs at extreme pressures of approximately 350 tons, this machine literally squeezes metal into shape. Many machines can work with up to a 3/8" thick material that is upwards of twelve feet in length. Press brake forming also works with a variety of different metals including brass, stainless steel, aluminum, and carbon steel. So what is it used for? If you need a metal housing for a particular part, brackets for machines and equipment, metal framing, and even decorative touches, this method will likely be the one used. This is an ideal solution for anyone needing replacement parts, large numbers of brackets, and fastening solutions as well as prototypes for almost any type of machinery.

Bar Milling

Bar milling is reforming an existing bar into a particular shape, form, and length to make it fit various jobs and specifications similar to running a router or shaper down a narrow length of wood. This could be by taking traditional round or square bars and making them into hexagonal or angled bars, adding grooves or other features down the entire length. It can also be made from various materials including brass and stainless steel. To create each shape, the specialist puts together a series of cutters that could be bevels, round overs, slots, and much more. Finally, it is milled down to a smooth surface and made into the proper dimensions.

Sheet Metal Fabrication

Sheet metal fabrication is ideal for detailing and precision cutting. With this method, specialists can use laser cutting, punching, press brake forming, shearing, and welding to create virtually anything from this super-thin and flexible metal product. It is used for everything from cultivator shovels and hopper bottoms for the agriculture industry to conveyor parts, guards, frames, decorative metal forms, and many other items for a variety of other industries.

Sheet metal fabrication works to build all sorts of covers and frames. It also works as a column cover or for ventilation purposes. Fasteners and other components are also made using this method. This includes many different parts involved in the transportation, refrigeration, and conveying sectors as well as amusement park rides and other recreational activities.

Depending on the task at hand, any one project could be subjected to one or a combination of these techniques. Then, welding is used to piece everything together to finish the completed project. Once that is complete, a quality provider will check the entire piece for quality, durability, and accuracy before handing it over for installation. Whether it is sheet metal fabrication, press brake forming, or some other technique, there is a process and the corresponding technology to produce the exact item you need.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_OKelly

The Rotary Ring stretch wrapper is a revolutionary design that uses a unique wrapping ring concept. The film carriage is supported and rotated using a 96" diameter ring. Unlike a traditional turntable or rotary arm machine that must support and rotate thousands of pounds of mass just to apply the stretch film, the Rotary Ring rotates only the carriage itself. The result is a much faster "low mass rotation system" that because of the limited stress and strain on the working component is much better suited for 24hr/7 days a week applications. Because of its ability to start and stop the cycle anywhere on the load, the rotary ring pallet wrapper reduces stretch film cost drastically when compared to conventional rotary arm and turntable style wrappers.

Film Savings Design Drastically Reduces Film Usage:

With conventional wrappers (rotary arm and turntables) the film clamp is fixed at conveyor height and the wrap cycle must start at the bottom and get to the top as fast as possible, apply the top wraps, spiral down with a controlled overlap to contain the load and finish at the bottom with bottom wraps and clamping and film tail treatment of the load. However the typically 30 ft. or so of stretch film applied getting to the top is effectively wasted film. The Rotary Ring key feature is that the film clamp and film tail treatment travels vertically with the film carriage. The Rotary Ring is able to start at the bottom of a load and finish at the top without having to return back down to the clamp fixed at the conveyor. This means that you can save an extra 30+ feet of stretch film while still applying the same required load retention wraps. The result is thousands of dollars in annual film savings compared to conventional wrapper. In the case of a 60 loads per hour application this results in payback of the purchase price in approx 3 years in film savings alone compared to other conventional wrappers.

Virtually Unlimited Wrapping Patterns:

The rotary ring design allows for virtually unlimited wrap patterns due to the ability to start and complete a wrapping cycle anywhere during the wrap cycle. Custom wrapping cycles can be added to suit the application requirements. Compact Footprint Design: Designed to be the smallest footprint in the industry, this automatic wrapper fits into tighter layouts than any other competitive model due to taking 25% less space that most rotary arm style wrappers. Do not waste valuable floor space. The Rotary Ring fits into the dead zones like corners areas and along a wall.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dario_U