Make The Most Out Of Your Materials

Working in warehouses and with heavy machinery doesn’t scream “Save the Environment!” But did you know that there are multiple ways in which you can make working in your warehouse a little greener?

How Much Do You Know?

1.     Are pallets recyclable?

a.     Yes

b.     No

2.     One way to reduce waste in the warehouse is by using __________ packaging.

a.     Biodegradable

b.     Plastic

c.     Cardboard

3.     Waste from packaging can be reduced greatly by recycling and reusing such materials.

a.     True

b.     False

4.     Which forklift fuel type is better for the environment?

a.     LP

b.     Electric

c.     Either, they have the same overall impact

5.     Both electric and LPG forklifts rely on renewable resources to run properly.

a.     True

b.     False

   

Get This…

LPG and electric forklifts are both incredibly common but utilize two different sources of fuel. LPG forklifts run off a liquid propane, while electric forklifts are battery powered. Both types of forklifts have their advantages and disadvantages. However, the question remains, is one type of forklift more environmentally friendly than the other? For the most part electric forklifts are more environmentally friendly. They eliminate the use of propane fuel (a non-renewable resource), and the disposal of many of the fluids used in LPG trucks. Electric forklifts also eliminate tailpipe emissions. Not only is this elimination of emissions better for the environment, but also for your employees because it reduces the amount of chemicals and smoke they are inhaling. After hearing all of this you may wonder where the debate lies. It’s clear that electric forklifts utilize batteries to run, very large batteries. There is still some discrepancy on how these batteries should be disposed of and/or recycled. Although, overall it has been concluded that electric forklifts have less negative impact on our surrounding environment. 

    

Can You Answer This Question???

What is a carbon footprint?

a.     Measured output units of CO2 and methane for an individual, business, or product.

b.     Measured output units of CO2 for an individual, business, or product.

c.     Measured output units of CO2, water vapor, and methane for an individual, business, or product.

The phrase Carbon Footprint is thrown around quite often, but what exactly is a carbon footprint? If you chose A as your answer then you are correct! CO2 and Methane are the two largest greenhouse gas contributors, making it important for us to monitor the amounts of these gases we are releasing into the environment. This calculation can be made for an individual, a business, or a product. Reducing your carbon footprint even just a little bit can make a huge difference to our environment! Calculate your personal carbon footprint and your company’s carbon footprint here: https://www3.epa.gov/carbon-footprint-calculator/ !

Get The Facts!

Time to talk about pallets! Pallets are often used in warehouses around the world. There are many different shapes, sizes, and materials used to make pallets. Fortunately, many pallets are made from wood, which is a recyclable material. In addition to being able to recycle pallets there are a lot of companies that will pay you for your pallets. If you're opposed to selling or recycling your pallets you can also up-cycle them! Which basically means that you are using pallets to make other things, for example, a planter. To buy, sell, and find free pallets check out this website: https://repalletize.com/content/Cincinnati-free-pallets . For up-cycling ideas look here: https://phsinverter.com/10-ways-recycle-wood-pallets-house/ , https://phsinverter.com/top-uses-for-old-wood-pallets/

   

…So Call

There are thousands of ways to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle at work, whether it be in the office or the warehouse! If you have large items that you need removed and recycled check out these sites: https://www.junk-king.com/services/items-we-take/ , http://www.ecycleenvironmental.com/scrap-recycling/warehouse-recycling

For any other material handling needs give us a call at (513) 842-2012. Thanks for checking out our blog! 

Multiple Choice Answers: 1/A, 2/A, but cardboard is recyclable!, 3/A, 4/B, 5/B 

New Year, New You, New Organization Strategies

A new year brings new beginnings, and fresh starts. So why not get your warehouse where you want it? Below we’ve got some quick tips and tidbits to help you get started!  

How Much Do You Know?

1.     Wire storage containers can safely hold anywhere from ____ to ____ pounds and are great for items that don’t fit in typical pallet racking systems.

a.     1,500 – 4,000

b.     2,000- 4,500

c.     2,500- 5,000

2.     Pallet racking systems can only be used in

a.     Large warehouses

b.     Small warehouses

c.     Both A&B

3.     Can keeping your warehouse organized save you money?

a.     Yes

b.     No

4.     Traffic patterns can influence efficiency.

a.     True

b.     False

Get This…

It can be difficult to know where to start with warehouse organization, so here are some tips to help you out!

Step 1 Evaluate: Evaluate what you have in inventory and what you need for inventory. If there are items that are no longer useful to your business get rid of them!

Step 2 Organize: Now that you know what you have in inventory come up with a strategy to organize it! ~ some examples are by date, weight, and monetary value.

Step 3 Set Standards: Make sure employees are hip to the new organization processes and set standards to maintain its organization.

Step 4 Maintain: Even if everyone is aware of the new organization standards, making sure these standards are maintained is incredibly important. Sometimes it is helpful to delegate this task to a specific person.

Can You Answer This Question???

As a general rule of thumb it should only take _______ to identify the flow of work being done in a warehouse or similar workplace.

A.    60 Seconds

B.    2 minutes

C.    40 seconds

D.    5 minutes

Having a general flow of traffic is important for all businesses, especially those that also utilize fast moving industrial equipment. Arguably the most important time to identify a flow of traffic is if you have never been to the facility before. Identifying this flow should only take about sixty seconds. Many companies and large warehouses make the identification of this flow easy by taping and marking pedestrian walkways and work areas.  

Get The Facts!

Before you can have a functional and efficient warehouse you need to decide on what kind of shelving will work best for your space and business needs. Here are five popular storage options.

1.     Pallet Racking System: This type of shelving system serves as a cheaper option for many people. PRS are designed to hold an entire pallet that can be accessed from several sides if necessary. Another positive of PRS shelving is that you can make the most out of vertical space.

2.     Mezzanine Flooring: I like to relate mezzanine flooring to lofting your bed. You’re basically adding a second level (sometimes a third or fourth) to not only create more space on your entry level floor, but this also adds space in the levels created. Not all Mezzanine floors are used for storage, sometimes they are even used as office space!

3.     Drive in Racking: This type of system works best if you are moving a large amount of the same product. This type of organization typically follows the method of first in last out.

4.     Pallet Flow: This type of shelving utilizes a type of roller/conveyor system, which helps to promote and maintain the “first in first out” method of storage. This system is often used in large, fast-paced warehouses.

5.     Block Stacking: This type of storage can be a cheap alternative to some of the other shelving options available. To achieve this method of storage rows of materials are placed one on top of another. This type of storage does require more open ground space, but stacks can be piled as high as the ceiling safely allows.  

Block Stacking

Mezzanine Flooring

Pallet Flow

               

…So Call

If you’re interested in getting your warehouse organized give us a call! We will come to your facility to determine which kind of shelving is the best fit for you. You can reach us at (513) 842-2012. Thanks for checking out our blog!

ANSWERS: 1/A, 2/C, 3/A, 4/A

Make Your Vehicle Radiate

With the ever-changing seasons it’s important to stay up on your vehicle’s maintenance, whether that be a car or a forklift. Radiators are a piece of machinery that are often mentioned when talking about vehicle repair, but what is their purpose? 

How Much Do You Know?

1.     How often should you perform a radiator flush on your forklift?

a.     Once a year

b.     Frequency depends on forklift use and type of antifreeze used

c.     Every five years

2.     What time of year is it most beneficial to flush my forklift’s radiator?

a.     In the summer

b.     In the winter

c.     In summer and winter, both for different reasons

3.     A radiator flush can ensure that your engine doesn’t __________.

a.     Freeze

b.     Overheat

c.     A & B

4.     Many types of antifreeze are naturally corrosive, which makes radiator flushes an essential part of maintenance.

a.     True

b.     False

5.     What two liquids are used inside a radiator?   

a.     Antifreeze and oil

b.     Water and antifreeze

c.     Oil and water

Get This…

Radiators are a very important piece of machinery. Most people think about their vehicle’s radiator in the summer months. This is because people typically think of radiators as something that keeps your engine cool. However, radiator maintenance is arguably urgent in the winter. While the radiator does keep your vehicle cool, it also keeps your vehicle from freezing and cracking.

Get The Facts!

If you’re anything like me, you may be wondering if there is a difference between a radiator flush and draining your radiator. The short answer to this question is yes. When your radiator gets flushed nearly all of the antifreeze is removed. However, when you have your radiator drained only about 50% of the antifreeze is taken out. Simply draining your radiator poses a few problems. One is the fact that not all of the particles in your radiator will be disposed of. The other is that when you add antifreeze back into your radiator you will then be mixing it with the old leftover antifreeze. Mixing antifreeze is not recommended. You can learn more about this topic in a previous blog: https://omegamaterialhandlinginc.blogspot.com/2017/03/what-to-watch-out-for-with-warming.html

Here are some of the benefits of doing a full flush:

·       Removes 100% of old antifreeze out of your radiator

·       Removes rust and other deposits

·       Antifreeze additives lubricate water pump

       ·       Protects against rust and foam 

…So Call

If you’re interested in having your forklift’s radiator flushed you're in luck, we can help! Call us at (513) 842-2012, or E-mail us at omega.rockett.com.

Answers: 1/B 2/C 3/C 4/B 5/B 

Let Us Answer It

There are always questions that seem impossible to answer. So today we are going to base our blog on frequently asked questions about your forklift!

How Much Do You Know?

1.     Who can certify forklift operators?

a.     Any business owner

b.     Someone with adequate knowledge, experience, and training

c.     A member of OSHA

2.     How often must operators be certified?

a.     Every year

b.     Every two years

c.     Every three years

3.     Is training for every different forklift make and model required?

a.     Yes, because all forklift makes and models vary

b.     No, but training is required for different types and styles of forklifts

4.     Is a written exam alone enough to certify a forklift operator?

a.     Yes, a written exam is all that is required

b.     No, a discussion, written test, and driving test are required

5.     Are forklift operators required to have a valid driver’s license?

a.     No

b.     Yes

6.     Does OSHA require a set speed limit for forklift operators?       

a.     Yes, it is 5 miles per hour

                  b.   No, but some companies may have set speed limits in place     

     

Get This…

A question that I often get when visiting with customers is whether or not their powered industrial trucks are required to have backup beepers and/or warning lights. The answer to this question isn’t as straight forward than some of the others. Your forklift is required to have some sort of sound-making device to alert people that the truck will be approaching. Typically, this device is the truck’s horn. However, if an employer finds it necessary to have an additional warning system in place then it is the responsibility of that employer to enforce this requirement.

Can You Answer This Question???

Is it better to get a truck with a higher capacity than you need for reassurance?

A.    It’s always a good idea to have extra reassurance.

B.    It isn’t needed if you know the capacity of the product you are lifting 

Purchasing a forklift with a higher capacity than needed is not necessary. However, it is important to remember as your height increases your capacity decreases. Therefore, if you do end up purchasing a forklift with a higher capacity than needed make sure that the measurements of the forklift still fit your company’s needs. This makes B your best answer.

Get The Facts!

It seems that more and more people are wearing headphones during working hours. In an office setting this isn’t a big deal, but what about people working around heavy machinery, or operating it? While OSHA does not have a set standard to whether or not forklift operators are permitted to use headphones, it is not recommended. This is for the obvious reasons. Often times when people are listening to headphones they are drowning out the noise around them blocking the sound of alarms, or people giving direction. 

…So Call

If you still have questions, feel free to post them in the comments or reach out to us via E-mail (omega.rockett@yahoo.com) or by phone (513-842-2012). Thanks for tuning into our blog! Have an awesome weekend.

ANSWERS: 1/B, 2/C, 3/B, 4/B, 5/A, 6/B

Check It Before You Wreck It

How many of us actually do a pre-use forklift inspection? I’m sure less of us than we’d like to admit. However, these checks are incredibly important to protect your business and your operators!

How Much Do You Know?

.     Is performing a forklift check before use mandated by OSHA?

a.     Yes

b.     No

2    .     How often should a pre-use forklift examination occur?

a.     Every shift change

b.     Daily

c.     Before use whenever changing operators

3    .     What must you check when going through your pre-use checklist?

a.     Mast, tires, lights

b.     Tires, lights, brakes

c.     There are no OSHA requirements on what specifically needs to be checked

Get This…

A visual inspection of your forklift is to be done at least daily before forklifts are put to use. A visual inspection should include:

             ·       Fluid levels including: oil, water, and hydraulic fluid

             ·       Tire condition and pressure

             ·       Leaks, cracks, or any other noticeable defects in mast chains, ect.

             ·       Load backrest extension

             ·       Fork condition

             ·       Nameplates and safety decals

             ·       Operator compartment

After doing a physical inspection of your forklift it is just as important if not more important to do an operation check. Things you should look for during the operational check include:

·       Brakes

·       Steering

·       Drive control, tilt control, hoist and lowering control, and attachment control

·       Horn

·       Lights

·       Back up alarm

·       Hour meter

Can You Answer This Question???

Is there an OSHA regulation for maintaining checklist documents?

A.    Yes

B.    No

Although OSHA requires you to perform a pre-use check they do not currently require companies to create and keep paperwork on pre-use inspections. With that said it is a good idea to keep pre-use documentation in case an accident is to occur. It is recommended that any paperwork created for forklift checks is kept for at least a month.

Get The Facts!

It can be tough to tell when your forks and tires actually need to be replaced. So, check out these videos for a more in depth look!

Tires: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp2GoyRkrA4#action=share

Forks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkcIasV9c8o#action=share 

…So Call

If you’re unsure how to perform a pre-use check on your forklift give us a call! We’ll have one of our knowledgeable team members come out and walk you through it. You can reach Omega Material Handling at (513) 842-2012, or by sending an e-mail to omega.rockett@yahoo.com.

Answers: 1/A 2/B 3/C 4/B