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![\"pallet](\"https:\/\/www.lantech.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/fg-illustration1.jpg\" "\\"pallet")
Material handling is inherently risky. Whether it be operating a forklift, loading pallets into a truck, or even pulling a pallet jack, the warehouse\u00a0world is the source of a surprisingly high percentage of industrial accidents and injuries.<\/p>\nForklift\u00a0are traditionally thought of as one of the greatest dangers. Weight, power and speed all contribute to the risk.\u00a0But consistent efforts by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has raised awareness of risks of forklift\u00a0operations – for operators and by standers. Operator training and safety requirements have reduced injuries, although there are still too many.<\/p>\n
Surprisingly though, the pallet jack alternative, which is often perceived as the safer solution, can be risky.\u00a0OSHA’s stats on pallet jack safety<\/a> tell an interesting tale.\u00a0In fact they illustrate a critically important point – pallet jacks are involved in a number of serious injuries.<\/p>\n \n OSHA reports that from 2002-2016 a total of 56 major injuries occurred involving pallet jacks<\/strong><\/a>. These included:<\/p>\n Certainly as a percentage of total hours used, loads moved and miles traversed up and down warehouse aisles pallet jacks are safer than many other pieces of industrial equipment. But they should be even safer.<\/p>\n While pallet jack injuries may not be entirely\u00a0avoidable, simple steps can be taken to ensure safe usage with minimal risk. Adaptalift, a Hyster reseller, offers simple guidelines to ensure safe operation of a pallet jack<\/a>. These common sense measures include:<\/p>\nAlarming Pallet Jack Injury Statistics<\/h2>\n
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Steps to Ensure Safe Operation of Manual Pallet Jack<\/h2>\n
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