Safety Checks Needed Before Using A Forklift Tipping Skip

Forklift tipping skips are one of the most commonly used forklift attachments on the market, but due to the daily usage, complacency can set it when it comes to carrying out important safety checks.  Here's a rundown on what safety checks you can perform on your skip

Check The Tipping Skip For Damage Or Excessive Wear

Damage to your tipping skip or excessive wear could effect it's safe operation therefore regular visual checks for any such damage or wear and tear should be carried out before every use. Having the the tipping skip securely fastened to your forklift is paramount so any wear or tear to this locking device could result in the skip disengaging from the forklift forks.  Similarly, damage to the guide profiles that allow the skip to roll forward could cause the skip to tip unevenly and again pose a health & safety risk

Check The Load Capacity Of The Tipping Skip

Are you overloading your tipping skip?, which is easily done when you are filling a large volumetric capacity tipping skip with building rubble etc. The tipping skip should be clearly marked with a Safe Working Load, so its important that you keep with the load limits of your skip

Does Your Forklift Have Sufficient Capacity?

Just importantly as it is to make sure your forklift skip is not overloaded, it is equally important to ensure your forklift truck has sufficient capacity to handle both the physical weight of the skip and its loaded contents.

Not just limited to forklift tipping skips, any forklift attachment that is fitted to the forks (or carriage) of the lift truck can effects its lifting capacity (commonly referred to as the 'de-rated capacity) so if in any doubt please check with your forklift supplier/manufacturer

Is Your Tipping Skip Suitable For Its Working Environment?

Sometimes you may need a specific design of tipping skip to suit the environment it is working in therefore using the incorrect style of skip could result in accidents 

Working in hazardous and explosive environments where there is potentially an explosive mix of air and flammable gasses could prove catastrophic if the wrong type of tipping skip is used (one which was manufactured from mild steel for example). In this instance a tipping skip manufactured from stainless steel with ATEX certification would be required

Another example of using a tipping skip not suitable for its environment would be using a regular duty skip on a building or construction site, where a more heavy duty manufactured skip would be desired. Using the wrong forklift skip in this instance could result in more damage or wear and tear to the skip, which could lead over time to component failure, resulting in a possible increased risk of accidents occurring

Is Your Tipping Skip Legal ?

All forklift attachments, including forklift tipping skips must legally undergo a periodic annual inspection known as a Thorough Examination.  This examination, akin to a Cars MOT, is to ensure all components relating to safety on your tipping skip have been formally inspected and assessed as being in a safe condition

A Thorough Examination can be carried out by any accredited CFTS company.

If your forklift tipping skip has not undergone this examination and inspection in accordance with the schedule then this could put you at risk of prosecution by the HSE, invalid your insurance, or mush worse in the case of a serious accident arising from using faulty equipment.

Forklift tipping skips are a great forklift accessory to use to help speed up your waste handling operations, so taking care of them by making sure they are in full working order, are fit for purpose and used in the correct environment will help you benefit from these effective attachments for many years to come