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

Be Prepared with a Dealer who Stocks Forklift Parts

Forklifts, regardless of the brand, all feature similar parts. Wear-and-tear issues, carelessness, and the lack of a preventative maintenance program can all contribute to the replacement of these components. Sometimes, forklift manufacturers will provide all the forklift spare parts you need. Every manufacturer will have a list of recommended spare parts for all of their products. These lists offer parts which receive the most wear over time, have historically been abused by the operator, or require occasional maintenance. 

Having these additional spare parts in stock will assist in keeping your forklifts functional at all times. The less down-time in any facility, the more efficiently it will run. 

Lucas Liftruck in the Niagara region is prepared for the rigors of the industry - including a well-stocked recommended spare parts inventory.

Save Time and Money with a Manual Scale Pallet Truck

Weigh and move your pallets with ease.

The 4400 lb Manual Pallet Truck with Scale combines the maneuverability of our Pallet Boss jacks with the precise functions of a digital freight scale. This pallet truck will increase efficiency in your facility by allowing you to weigh pallets and containers without needing to transfer them to a stationary freight scale, while the LCD screen offers a simple user experience and large display.

Perfect for small warehouses without the room or the budget to include a stationary freight scale, lift gate operations, shipping and receiving tasks, and trailer loading and unloading.

Options include double front wheels to improve stability when rolling over uneven ground and deck plates. Nylon wheels are also an option to assist in eliminating slipping on wet surfaces. 

To order this versatile pallet truck, contact Lucas Liftruck Services

The Ontario Ministry of Labour Safety Blitz is upon us

It’s coming up on that time of year again; where the government inspection blitzes from the Occupational Health and Safety Program come knocking. In 2015, it is set to run from September 12 – October 23. At Lucas Liftruck Services we like to get a head start on alerting potential customers who may be caught unaware by this blitz, and perform on-site inspections of forklift and lift truck fleets to be sure your company will not be penalized for faulty equipment. Workplace injuries and fatalities can usually be traced to a few root causes; and so the Occupational Health & Safety inspectors will probe your industrial equipment thoroughly. A competent Lucas forklift technician can sign off on your fleet’s safety and save you from suffering fines and down-time due to tagged equipment deemed unsafe. Being pro-active to avoid harsh fines is essential in keeping your business running efficiently. Whether you are due for another equipment inspection or not, having a trained technician inspect your fleet of forklifts and pallet trucks before the Occupational Health & Safety inspectors arrive at your door will ensure your compliance and express the importance your company places in safety at the workplace. Lucas Liftruck’s current customers enjoy a maintenance package which tracks their OSHA’s through fleet management and advanced record keeping, offering our clients worry-free operations through planned maintenance. Improve your safety processes and work with a Lucas Liftruck professional.

Avoid Costly Accidents and Employ a Planned Maintenance Service

Remember, your materials handling equipment requires maintenance. It’s got moving parts, just like your car. Each part plays a role in safely operating your forklift or lift truck on a daily basis. Consider this: a forklift rumbles down your aisles or yard carrying 3 to 5 times as much weight as your car, and you have your car serviced regularly. When machines breakdown due to neglect, it effects your business, but more importantly, it becomes an unsafe piece of equipment and could injure an employee causing much more than downtime, it could be the precursor for a devastating accident and even a lawsuit.

Your business and those responsible for keeping your business running efficiently are your priorities. The equipment you use to assist employees in their efforts need to be well maintained. Training is also a must, but maintaining the equipment goes a long way in the prevention of injuries due to faulty equipment. Forklifts should be inspected daily by the operator and serviced by a licensed technician up to four times a year.

A Stärke brand product is an excellent example of superior engineering, but even the very best material handling equipment requires regular maintenance to ensure the vehicle is operating at peak efficiency. This service is recommended by the manufacturer of every brand of machinery and should be followed to safeguard your employees and your business from unexpected downtime and accidents.

The cost of an accident will far exceed the cost of a planned maintenance program. Lucas liftruck is capable of servicing every make and model of forklift and lift truck, so if you have been on the fence about having a professional look at your materials handling equipment, Lucas Liftruck services can help.

Contact us today: 905-227-3291

Lucas - Stocking the Most Forklift Parts in the Niagara Region

Picking your Forklift and materials handling parts has never been easier than it is today. With the advent of the internet, countless online shops have sprung up claiming to be the next best thing. The trouble has always been that the vast majority of these parts shops didn’t keep an inventory! They still don’t!

It’s not only the convenience of accessing and ordering your forklift parts online that should lure you to the website, but whether they have a physical, brick and mortar store where they actually house the parts you’re looking for.  Too many of these fly-by-night online shops have made a bad name for the respectable ones by not stocking the parts they show online, thus leaving the customer with a late delivery and a bitter taste in their mouth.

Institutions like Lucas Liftruck, serving the Niagara region for over 75 years, is maintained by material handling industry professionals with one of the most substantial lists of oversea and domestic forklift brand parts stocked and ready to be shipped or picked-up from our Thorold location. You can count on Lucas to have the lowest prices on the parts equipment you need - when you need it.

Brands like EP, Stärke, Hyster, Heli, Hecha, Hangcha, Liftstar, Hytsu, xilin, JAC, Tailift, TEU and many more are represented and stocked for quick shipping throughout the Golden Horseshoe.

Whether you’re a local dealer or an end-user who requires the parts in a timely fashion to reduce or avoid downtime, Lucas Liftruck is your go-to source for the very best brand name forklift parts.

Call us or contact us today via email or online form for a professional quote. 905-227-3291

About Forklift and Lift Equipment Rentals. Why Renting Makes Sense.

The number one reason to rent your materials handling equipment is that it enables you to use forklifts and lift trucks without laying down the capital, which means upfront or loan costs with interest rates are not a consideration.

Budgeting for the future with fixed costs every month without any unexpected maintenance costs are also huge benefits to renting your forklifts; as all maintenance is covered by the dealer’s rental agreement.

Key Performance Indicators and fleet utilization reports are managed by the dealer, reducing your administration costs while freeing up staff to concentrate on your business.

Renting forklifts will ensure that you always have the most up-to-date equipment and technology. When your equipment ages or your renting terms end your old forklifts are replaced with new ones.

No down time is another big benefit to renting your equipment. If one of the units stops working, your dealer will be able to replace it, providing immediate relief.

Ready to rent? Consider these points before moving forward.

Research dealers to ensure all your applications are met by their equipment selection and that they offer to visit your facility and assess your needs before suggesting product.

Ensure that your dealer has a qualified trainer to offer the option of forklift training to your employees who will be operating the piece of rental equipment.

Lucas Liftruck offers the best forklifts in the Niagara Falls regions reaching Hamilton, Brantford, Oakville,St. Catharines and surrounding areas.