Day: December 13, 2018

You Can Damage Your Plane with Improper Manual Handling – What to Know

Being Precautious Could Save Your Passengers and Your Life.
Being Precautious Could Save Your Passengers and Your Life.

When you have a smaller aircraft, pulling or pushing it by the propeller might seem like an easy and convenient way to move it around. However, this manual handling can end up causing significant damage to your airplane. Find out why you should use an aircraft caddy for moving your plane around instead of moving it manually.

Damage Risks

Grabbing your airplane by the propeller and pulling or pushing it to where you need it to go can result in damage to the blades. For example, pulling or pushing the propeller’s tips can cause them to become bent, which affects their ability to work properly. Even when you have others to help you, it’s important to avoid manually handling your airplane by the propeller blades.

Using an aircraft caddy allows you to move your airplane smoothly without risking damage to any part of it. Keep in mind that damage to your propeller can make your aircraft unsafe to operate.

Injury Risks

Pushing or pulling an airplane manually can put you and others at risk of having injuries. From pulled muscles to more serious injuries, it’s important to avoid taking this risk when you need to move or reposition your airplane. Moving your airplane with a tug that’s designed to support its weight helps eliminate the risk of personal injuries.

Our tugs and caddies offer safer and more convenient ways to pull aircraft around or move them to a different location, whether you need one for a 4,000-pound airplane or one that can move up to 35,000 pounds.

If you’re looking for an aircraft caddy, please contact DJ Products. We carry a wide range of high-quality aircraft tugs to make it easier and safer for you to move your airplane.

Tips for Creating a Snow and Bad Weather Attendance Policy for Your Warehouse Staff

It's Proactive to Have a Winter-Season Plan for Accidents and Attendance in Place.
It’s Proactive to Have a Winter-Season Plan for Accidents and Attendance in Place.

Our rugged warehouse equipment is designed to perform under a wide range of conditions, but it’s not always so easy for people to operate in bad weather. Snow, ice and other treacherous winter conditions can make it dangerous to be on the road.

Use these tips to create a clear and comprehensive snow and bad weather attendance policy that protects employees while minimizing work interruptions.

Know the Law

At a minimum, your policy must meet the parameters set forth in the Fair Labor Standards Act. Rules differ for exempt and non-exempt employees, so set yours accordingly.

Be Consistent with Company Culture

Policies should always reflect company values. Is your culture more traditional or does it embrace flexibility? Whatever your identity is, keep it in mind as you compose the bad weather policy.

Consider All Employees

First of all, many companies have several locations that may require individual policies. Second, even within a common workplace, employees have different considerations such as travel time and mode of transportation. Aim for a policy that encompasses all situations.

Define “Bad Weather”

Everyone has their own perception of what constitutes bad weather. Choose a specific but fair method of triggering the bad weather policy, such as a minimum amount of snowfall or when schools are closed.

Have an Action Plan

A complete bad weather policy should set out precise steps for actions including notifying employees, alerting customers and implementing a virtual office set-up.

Safety Comes First

Regardless of the formal policy, let workers know that you value their safety. Be flexible with issues like start times and dress codes.

Reliable Warehouse Equipment from DJ Products

No matter what the weather is outside, our warehouse equipment is always ready for duty. Contact us for more information.

Cold Weather Impacts Staff Performance – What to Know

Winter Can be Dangerous for Your Employees. Make Sure They are Maintaining Safety Precautions!
Winter Can be Dangerous for Your Employees. Make Sure They are Maintaining Safety Precautions!

Climate control in warehouses presents a greater challenge than climate control in office buildings. While the physical aspect of operating material handling equipment adds body warmth to some extent, cold weather reduces productivity and increases health risk for warehouse workers.

Train Employees to Prevent Cold Stress

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has no official regulations in place regarding cold weather conditions in the workplace. OSHA does recommend that employers take proactive steps to train about cold stress symptoms and appropriate first aid procedures.

In addition, you can institute policies to make the warehouse a more hospitable workplace during cold weather months:

– Make sure that employees are dressed for the weather and using personal protective equipment as needed.

– Have employees monitor each other for possible signs of cold stress and report problems to their supervisor.

– Provide warm break rooms and have plenty of warm, sweetened beverages on hand to ward off dehydration.

Cold-Proofing the Warehouse

No matter what temperature is maintained inside the warehouse, frequent opening of doors allows warm air to escape and be replaced by cold air. Here are steps you can take to minimize this effect:

– Strip doors allow easy in-and-out access while acting as a barrier against cold as well as dust, spray and noise.

– Temporary curtain walls insulate specific warehouse areas as needed and they’re easy to install and remove.

– High-speed doors, powered or manual, reduce the amount of exposure to the cold.

– Fans may sound counterintuitive, but they can actually circulate heated air for better distribution.

Put Safety First with Material Handling Equipment from DJ Products

Our battery-powered tugs, movers and pushers are designed for safe operation in any climate. Contact us to learn more about our quality material handling equipment.

Tips for Preventing Expensive Forklift Accidents in Your Warehouse

Always Stop and Let a Forklift Pass, to Avoid an Accident.
Always Stop and Let a Forklift Pass, to Avoid an Accident.

Forklift accidents can cause costly damage to warehouse equipment, but that’s not even the worst possible result. Data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) indicates that 85 deaths and almost 35,000 serious injuries due to forklift accidents occur each year.

Reduce the risk of damage and injury with these five proactive tips for preventing forklift accidents:

Ensure Adequate Ventilation

People generally associate forklift accidents with mechanical operation, but forklifts also emit carbon monoxide at levels that can lead to poisoning. Make sure there is sufficient ventilation, especially if forklifts are used in enclosed areas.

Provide Secure Parking

No matter how busy the day is, forklifts should always be returned to their parking spaces with keys removed. This keeps the forklift from being an obstacle and prevents unauthorized use.

Conduct Regular Training and Inspections

– Train all new hires in proper forklift operation and continue to promote awareness and safety precautions.

– Schedule regular inspections and perform maintenance as needed.

Failure to observe these two practices can result in OSHA citations and fines.

Load Forklifts Correctly

Forklift loads should be balanced, with larger and heavier items on the bottom, and they shouldn’t be stacked too high. In addition, forklifts should never be used to raise employees to upper shelves.

Remove Obstructions

Poor sight, operator error and driving off a loading dock are all common causes of forklift accidents. Make sure forklift operators have a clear path and nothing is obstructing their sight lines.

Turn to DJ Products for High Quality Warehouse Equipment

Show your commitment to safety with eco-friendly tugs, pushers and movers from DJ Products. Our warehouse equipment is easy to use and ergonomically designed to prevent repetitive motion injuries.

Visit our website to learn more.