
Ask any elite athlete about their training regimen, and the word diet is sure to come up. Perhaps more than anybody, athletes understand how the foods they choose to fuel their body affects their performance.
This is not a story about diets, but it is a story about fuel. Powered industrial trucks (like forklifts) are invaluable tools in the workplace, but like humans they need fuel to perform. And like elite athletes, they need the correct fuel to perform their best.
Different forklift classes require different types of fuel, which includes liquid fuels, batteries, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). When it’s time to refuel your PIT, you should know which type of fuel it requires, and the risks associated with each. This information should be clearly stated in your vehicle’s operator’s manual.
Consult your operator’s manual for instructions on how to safely change and dispose of used fuel.
CAUTION
No smoking around fuel, regardless of the type of fuel you are using.
When refueling with liquid fuel, such as gasoline or diesel:
As an operator, it is unlikely that you will need to refill a battery. However, if you do, observe the following precautions:
Many forklifts are powered by LPGs such as propane or butane.
To change the LPG tank:
CAUTION
Because of their chemical properties, LPGs are extremely cold. If gas escaping from the tank touches your skin, it can freeze your skin immediately and cause frostbite. When handling or refilling propane tanks, wea goggles and thermal protection for your hands and skin.
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