Making sure our construction company is competitive

Even small construction companies can get in on bidding for jobs and competing with other companies hungry for work. You sometimes have to be clever about the way that you compete for tenders and you have to make sure we have the right equipment and materials to get the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible; we can to keep clients coming back. This can mean using a construction broker to make sure you get the right combo of new equipment and secondhand equipment to help the business succeed. This blog is about finding and choosing heavy construction equipment for your small scale construction company.

Five Tips to Prevent Your Forklift From Tipping Over

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If you're operating a forklift, you certainly don't want it to flip over, and similarly, you don't want that machinery to tip over whilst your employees are using it. To stay on the safe side, here are some tips to help you out:

1. Always Use Trained Drivers

In order to drive a forklift in Australia, drivers need to be certified. Always make sure that you or your employees have the proper certifications in place to use the type of forklift you have. If possible, sign employees up for extra training sessions to keep their education up to date.

If you don't have trained employees on staff, work with a labour hire company or a company that hires out forklifts and provides drivers.

2. Operate on Even Ground

To prevent tippage, it's important to work on an even ground. If you're working in a warehouse, make sure the floor is clean. Debris or obstacles could cause the forklift to tip.

Outside, make sure you have a relatively smooth path for the forklift. On a job site, you may want to smooth out your path with some earthmoving machinery. If you have to work on a slightly uneven ground, opt for a forklift with tracks instead of wheels. That gives it more stability.

3. Load the Forklift Correctly

Uneven loads can cause a forklift to tip. Always make sure that you start with evenly loaded pallets, and whether you're using a pallet or not, make sure that the forks are in the middle of the load. If the load is off-center, you will have excessive weight on one side, and that can cause the forklift to tip in that direction.

Also, make sure not to exceed the weight limit noted on the forklift. Going overweight can also cause tipping.

4. Drive Slowly

When moving a load from one spot to another, don't rush with the forklift. Instead, take a slow and steady approach. Speeding may jostle the load, causing it to pull you over.

5. Do a Safety Check

Finally, make sure that you do a safety check before using the forklift. Look over the forklift for visible damage on the fork tines, tyres and controls. Also, make sure that all fluids are topped up as needed. That helps prevent accidents of any type, including tipping over.

Forklifts are designed to resist tipping, but it's still important to be careful. Use spotters when working near ledges or by open doors. To get more tips, talk with a forklift specialist.

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16 June 2017