Visit any construction site, and you will find forklifts on show. Forklifts are one of the best investments any construction company can make. These highly versatile machines are a staple of getting things done on any construction project.
There is safety to take into account. After all, there were 7,290 nonfatal workplace accidents involving forklifts in 2020. But with the right training and safety protocols, you will find the forklift to be one of the essential machines on your construction site.
Here are some of the benefits of bringing a forklift to your construction site.
Why You Need the Right Model
Forklifts come in many shapes and sizes. They have a lot to offer in improving workplace efficiency and making the lives of your crew easier.
With so many types of forklifts and forklift attachments, these machines are equipped to handle so many functions. However, you can only get the maximum benefits of a forklift if you select the suitable model for the right construction site.
Many models can carry out several functions because of your purchase attachments. Consider an all-around model and the right attachments, and you will have a versatile piece of equipment for your construction site.
Take the time to do your research, and your forklift will save you time, money, and effort on any project.
Transporting Heavy Materials
The first and most common use of a forklift is in transporting heavy materials around the construction site. Forklifts are capable of moving relatively long distances and can navigate the difficult terrain of a construction site.
Forklifts are both lifting machines and vehicles. The advantage of using a forklift for both functions is you don’t need separate machinery to transport and lift heavy loads.
Using forklifts to handle heavy loads is also beneficial for your crew because they don’t need to worry about straining their backs from trying to lift heavy materials by hand.
An extra perk with forklifts is they’re capable of reaching inaccessible areas. So regardless of whether you are working inside or outside, a forklift will make your life far easier.
Loading and Unloading
Another common use for forklifts on construction sites is loading and unloading heavy objects. For example, you will often see forklifts lifting pallets into and out of delivery trucks. Within warehouse environments, you can also find these machines being used to stack materials on high shelves.
Forklifts are more compact than other solutions, making them the go-to option if you need to navigate tight spaces and inconvenient back entrances to your construction site.
Transporting People
Forklifts aren’t just for heavy materials. You can also use them to transport people. With the right attachments, you can move people around while complying with health and safety measures on the construction site.
The man-basket attachment can be used to lift your crew to high work platforms. However, moving people around requires extreme care and attention.
Make sure anyone using a man basket is properly attached using safety rails and a safety harness. Slip, trip, and fall injuries have a nonfatal injury rate of 31.4 per 10,000 full-time construction workers.
Cleaning Tasks
A forklift better services some cleaning tasks on construction sites. By making intelligent use of different attachments, you can employ your forklift to accomplish a wide range of cleaning tasks.
The boom and mop attachment allows you to clean large areas at speed. The plow attachment is another added extra you can attach to a forklift to remove debris from a site that’s spread over a wide area.
Lessen Downtime
Forklifts are designed for high levels of performance and diversity in their function. They’re a proven way of improving productivity on the construction site while being durable enough to stand up against the rigors of working on a construction site.
Modern forklifts are known for their reliability, which can cut the amount of time and expense you have to invest in services.
Like any piece of equipment, there will be variations between different manufacturers. Therefore, researching and choosing the right model is crucial to get the most out of your investment.
Material Variety
Forklifts are designed for both indoor and outdoor work. You can load, unload, and transport equipment across sprawling construction sites.
They don’t rely on pallets, either. Instead, forklifts can handle drums, crates, and stacked boxes. Getting the most out of your forklift is ensuring you have the right attachments and established protocols for specific tasks.
Note that some models of forklifts are designed to be used exclusively indoors or outdoors. Make sure you’re aware of what your equipment is capable of so you don’t cause any damage to your forklift by using it on the terrain it isn’t designed to be used on.
Training Equipment
Forklifts can also be used to train other forklift users on the functions and protocols of operating a forklift on a construction site. Many construction companies use part of their existing forklift fleet to teach new operators how they work.
All drivers must have a valid forklift license prior to getting behind the wheel. These are dangerous pieces of machinery that have the potential to cause significant damage if an accident occurs. Look up the rules in your state, so you’re aware of the rules on getting licensed and the minimum training requirements.
Failure to follow the rules can lead to heavy penalties, mainly if an accident occurs involving a driver with insufficient training and experience.
Conclusion
Forklifts are the foundation of any good construction site. A forklift machine’s versatility enables you to complete a wide array of tasks easily. While their main function may be lifting things up, they can accomplish much more.
Purchasing the attachments can mean avoiding buying a new piece of equipment entirely. So, what’s your most commonly used attachment on your forklift?
