Reduce Harmful Emissions and Save Hundreds Each Month with Lucas

Would you like to improve the health of you and your employees AND dramatically reduce your LPG fuel costs? If so, consider Lucas Liftruck’s exhaust gas emissions testing program, which will help to ensure your company is OHSA compliant while improving your forklifts fuel efficiency.

Health Concerns - Carbon Monoxide and Emissions Gas

Due to the risks associated with exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide (CO) gas, OHSA regulations stipulate that employers are responsible for maintaining air quality within acceptable limits in the workplace by keeping CO levels 25ppm. The byproduct of internal combustion engines, CO gas is created when an engine is incapable of completely combusting its hydrocarbon fuel mixture. Once released into the atmosphere, the odorless and invisible gas causes a cumulative effect on employee health by preventing red blood cells from carrying oxygen. Symptoms of carbon monoxide overexposure include respiratory irritation, headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, coma and death. Since CO gas is heavier than oxygen it poses a significant problem for indoor facilities operating LPG forklifts as the gas does not easily dissipate from the environment.

Fuel Efficiency - Carbon Monoxide and Emissions Gas

In addition to the health concerns posed by CO gas, the production of CO gas is also indicative of fuel wastage in LPG forklifts. For every 1% of CO emissions above the targeted level of 0.5%, between 3 - 5% of fuel is wasted. Without the proper adjustments, 90% of all forklifts will have CO levels between 3% and 10%. Even at the lower end of the spectrum, properly adjusting your LPG forklift through Lucas’s emissions testing program could save hundreds - or even thousands - of dollars on annual fuel costs for every forklift tested.

Regular Maintenance - Carbon Monoxide and Emissions Gas

There are other ways to reduce LPG forklift emissions beyond exhaust gas analysis and emissions testing. By following a regular maintenance schedule (PM Service), you reduce unnecessary emissions and also prevent premature wear on components and parts. Areas to focus on include keeping the ignition system in excellent shape and keeping the truck as clean as possible by replacing filters, fluids and PCV valve regularly. Catalytic Converters are also available, as they help reduce toxic emissions by up to 90% by allowing the exhaust gases to burn more completely

For more information on our emissions testing and exhaust gas analysis program, or to schedule an appointment for your business, please visit us online at www.lucasliftruck.com, email us at info@lucasliftruck.com or call us at 905-227-3291. 

Up-Coming Winter Inspection Blitz in Ontario

Following up on their recent material handling inspection blitz – conducted September 14^th to October 23^rd, 2015 – the Ontario Ministry of Labor plans to conduct another inspection blitz from January 18^th to February 26^th that focuses on the safe operation of industrial machinery. As part of their Safe at Work Ontario strategy, the Ontario Ministry of Labor regularly conducts sector-specific inspection blitzes designed to increase health and safety awareness and compliance within industries, sectors and workplaces determined to be vulnerable to the targeted hazard of each blitz.

With the up-coming inspection blitz on the safe operation of industrial machinery, inspectors will emphasize the following hazards: contact with moving parts, a variety of energy sources (electricity, heat, fire and cold), pressurized gasses or liquids, dangerous chemical or biological hazards, and exposure to ergonomic hazards and/or unsafe environmental hazards such as excessive noise/vibration and radiation. Non-compliance in regards to any of the aforementioned issues will result in prosecution of the guilty party, where the maximum penalties for individuals include up to 12 months in jail and a $25,000 fine, while corporations may be fined up to $500,000.

Based upon the available workplace injury statistics for Ontario, it is difficult to argue with the overall effectiveness of such a campaign. From 2004 to 2011, incidences of workplace injury in Ontario fell by 30%, with the number of inspections, stop work orders, convictions and fines reaching a peak in 2007 and 2008. To complement their enforcement campaign, the Ministry of Labor has also emphasized education and awareness. To assist small business owners (those with 50 employees or less), the Ministry of Labor recently created an initiative to combat the unique challenges faced by small business owners – namely, a lack of time, resources and/or staff to address the myriad of municipal, provincial and federal legislative requirements placed upon them. Included in this initiative is the development of a single online portal that simplifies access to health and safety standard resources and an outreach program centered on a series of educational events and conferences.

For advice or consultation on forklift or lift truck safety and maintenance or MOL/OSHA lift truck inspections, contact Lucas Lift Truck Services Ltd. at 905-227-3291 or visit our website today! For more information and resources on how to prepare your business or workplace for the up-coming inspection blitz, the Ontario Ministry of Labor has developed a dedicated webpage that includes relevant articles, industry-specific safety guidelines, self-assessment forms, contact information for consulting services, and a list of paid educational/training programs. These and other resources can all be accessed through the following link: http://www.wsps.ca/Information-Resources/Topics/Machines,-Tools-Equipment.aspx

Additional links:

Employee OHSA Knowledge Checklist

Employer OHSA Knowledge Checklist

OHSA Guide to Basic Awareness Training

OHSA Fact Sheet