Safety tips for buying a used ATEX forklift

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Pre-owned explosion proof lift trucks can be useful additions to potentially explosive logistics operations, but how do you know they are safe and are they dangerous? We asked Darren Boiling, Materials Handling Sales Manager from safety company Pyroban, for some guidance around this important topic.

The Logistics Point September 2020

How does the application determine the right choice of used truck?

There are many factors within the specific application which will affect the type of explosion protection solution required to keep people safe, so these must be assessed before buying equipment. For example, what will the truck be doing? What heights or distances are at play? In what ambient temperature will it operate?

Also, does your logistics operation require a lift truck for multi-shift continuous work or intermittent use? This is important because as part of the protection method, surface temperatures may be limited which can have an effect on the equipment’s work cycle, especially if it is working in a high ambient temperature. For example, used Pyroban equipment traded to the Middle East may struggle with the desert heat if it isn’t built for that environment.

Only when you understand where the equipment will work and what it is required to do can you check that the safety specification of a used truck matches.

Is there a risk that used trucks could bring hazards from a ‘dirty’ previous working environment into a logistics operation or warehouse?

Many ATEX lift trucks available to buy used will have worked within chemical industries, or other environments where corrosive or toxic substances are handled. It is a good idea to try and find out what the truck used to do and to make sure has been de-contaminated prior to bringing it onto your site.

What about service and inspection history? Are there any ‘red flags’ you should look for?

The service history is really important. Was the truck regularly maintained by a trained Pyroban engineer who used the correct parts and service regime? One incorrect part may expose a site to the risk of ignition through a spark or hot surface, for example.

Was the truck’s safety system audited on an annual basis by a safety inspector? This would ensure that the integrity of the safety system was checked, and any faults rectified. For example, has impact damage, wear and tear, or corrosion been left untreated for years? But don’t confuse this with a lift truck engineer conducting a thorough examination, which is not the same thing and does not ensure the safety of the explosion protection systems.

Read more on how to safely buy a used ATEX forklift for logistics operations HERE…

#Pyroban #forklifttruck #logistics

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