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National Forklift Safety Day – The Safety Benefits of Lithium-Ion Machinery
National Forklift Safety Day falls on the second Tuesday of June. It’s a crucial opportunity to emphasise the importance of safety to those who manufacture, operate and work around forklifts. The focus this year was “Safe Sites Save Lives”, however, when it comes to Forklift Trucks, there are many areas that contribute to site safety.
In this piece, we are going to focus on the safety benefits of Lithium Powered Forklift Trucks and how they contribute to the safety of yourself and everyone in your workplace.
What is Lithium-Ion?
Lithium-ion machinery is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. A lithium-ion battery is charged and discharged by lithium ions moving between the negative and positive electrodes. It uses the energy stored in the battery to operate efficiently and offers many benefits over traditional fuel methods.
Safety Benefits of Lithium-Ion:
Battery Management System: Lithium-Ion batteries are equipped with a highly sophisticated BMS that actively monitors the battery’s temperature, voltage, and current levels. This helps to prevent overcharging and overheating which minimises the risk of fire.
Lower Toxicity: Lithium-Ion batteries are environmentally friendly, especially when compared to other battery options. They do not contain toxic heavy metals, which can be extremely hazardous if incorrectly handled or disposed of. They also eliminate the risk of fuel spills and emissions, enhancing workplace safety.
Thermal Management: Many EP forklifts have built-in thermal management systems that regulate the temperature of the lithium-ion battery. These systems use cooling mechanisms, such as fans or liquid cooling, to maintain optimal battery temperature and prevent them from overheating.
Emergency Disconnect: EP forklifts typically feature an emergency disconnect switch that enables operators to quickly cut power to the vehicle in case of an emergency. This feature ensures that the forklift can be immediately shut off in an unsafe situation, preventing a possible accident.
Telematics: The GPS management system can be easily connected to your mobile devices and enables remote diagnosis. The system provides statistical data of battery charging times and truck/battery fault records, so you can easily monitor the status and condition of your machines remotely.
Training and Safety: Our team at iLift can advise and arrange training for operating and maintaining your lithium-ion material handling equipment so you can get the most out of your machine!
It’s important to note that the specific safety features may vary depending on the model of the machine. If you have any questions regarding your Lithium-Ion machines, our team are always at hand to help you out!
Our Forklift Range
iLift offers the full comprehensive range of EP Forklifts and Warehouse Equipment. Whether you are looking to buy outright or hire machines, explore our portfolio or products here.