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Feature Lift trucks
‘Hot’ forklift deals ignite safety fears
As an increasing number of businesses turn to the second
hand forklift truck market, safety specialist Pyroban warns
of the dangers of buying used explosion proof equipment
and why an EX-ASA safety inspection is so important
“When Pyroban converts a truck, it 2000 that are ATEX compliant in the
undergoes stringent tests which it second-hand market.
must pass in order to be certified as “This is where it could become dan-
ATEX compliant. As soon as it leaves gerous as some dealers do not under-
our factory it is then the user’s ulti- stand what they are selling. What may
mate responsibility to ensure it is appear to be an explosion proof truck
properly maintained,” adds Boiling, may be completely unsafe and cause
explaining that the dangers are also an explosion,” he warns. “Even if it is
present on equipment such as access safe, how does the dealer know if it
platforms, scrubber driers or cranes. meets the specification? What Zone, T
D
arren Boiling, customer ser-
An Annual Safety
class, Gas Group is it built for?”
vices manager for safety spe-
Audit by a Pyroban
Understanding the dangers
cialist Pyroban warns: “There
inspector is the
Industries that use explosion proof Annual Safety Audit
is nothing more dangerous than
best way to be sure
equipment are typically chemical, Whether a company owns, leases or
buying and using a poorly maintained
that the explosion
petrochemical, pharmaceutical or sim- hires any type of forklift truck, there
explosion proof forklift in a hazardous
proof safety system
ilar high-risk industries. However, is an obligation across Europe to
area. Unfortunately, buyers are faced
is still safe
explosion proof equipment can be ensure that it holds a valid annual
with increasing numbers through auc- required by any company that handles report of thorough examination. If the
tion websites or through dealers and flammable material, such as food and truck is explosion proof, there should
traders.” drink, logistics, cosmetics or waste also be a series of safety system
Pyroban provides explosion proof management businesses. checks that should be carried out by a
modifications for the world’s leading “Despite an attractive price, some competent person.
forklift truck brands so that equipment Pyroban trucks in the second-hand An Annual Safety Audit by a
can be used in potentially explosive market are so old they are not even Pyroban inspector is the best way to be
atmospheres. This involves assessing ATEX compliant,” explains Boiling. sure that the explosion proof safety
every single component on a forklift “But with most forklift contracts last- system is still safe. Known as an EX-
and re-engineering it to prevent sources ing five to seven years we are now ASA and carried out onsite, the audit
of ignition such as sparks or heat. seeing increasing numbers built after looks at the safety system in detail
with thorough inspection of all safety
In search of the oldest working lift truck
critical components, checking there
are no sources of ignition such as heat,
sparks or other forms of energy. A
W
idely recognised as introducing the very first electric powered
Pyroban certificate is awarded if the
low lift platform truck to the European market, Yale is search-
truck is deemed safe and passes all
ing for the oldest Yale forklift truck or pallet truck, still in operation
checks. After three years of operation,
today, to mark its 90th anniversary year in 2010.
the highly detailed EX-ASA+ inspec-
In 1919, the very first battery powered low lift platform truck
tion may also be required.
was manufactured in Staten Island, New York by C.W. Hunt Co
Pyroban advises that an EX-ASA is
which was purchased by Yale & Towne Manufacturing Co in 1020.
carried out each year from new, but
Yale is offering a trip to the Big Apple in return for information
also advises that buyers and sellers of
on the oldest Yale forklift truck or pallet truck still in operation*.
used Pyroban equipment should insist
Richard Czepukojc, Yale Europe’s marketing communications
that an EX-ASA or EX-ASA+ is carried
out before it is re-deployed in an
executive, explains: “We regularly receive feedback from our customers saying they are still using a Yale forklift truck or
explosive atmosphere.
pallet truck purchased in the 1960s and we know of one operator that up until a few years ago was using a platform truck
“If there is an explosion resulting
that was well over 40 years old, but we are certain that there must be more examples out there.
from the use of a second-hand explo-
“As well as being at the forefront of forklift innovation and technology our products are recognised as being robust,
sion proof truck, an investigation will
durable and hard wearing so we are looking forward to discovering where these forklift and pallet trucks are still in opera-
look at the history, service regimes,
tion today.”
parts used, if the engineer was trained
The competition is open to operators of Yale forklift trucks or pallet trucks in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa and when it was last audited by an
who currently operate Yale materials handling equipment that is at least 20 years old. The competition is being organised independent inspection,” Boiling
by Yale in anticipation of the company’s 90th anniversary year which will be celebrated in 2010. explains. “Despite any business loss,
Operators can enter the competition by visiting
www.forkliftaction.com/yaleoldesttruck or by emailing a picture of it in insurance may be invalidated and it
use, together with your name, company and age of the truck, to
yaleeurope@yale.com. A selection of images will be
could lead to prosecution.”
uploaded on the gallery on the new Yale blog site:
http://forkliftsrus.blogspot.com/ and entries will be updated on Twitter
at
www.twitter.com/yale_forklifts.
Pyroban
* Prize will consist of £900 or 985 euro holiday vouchers for winner to spend on a trip to New York or an alternative
T: 01273 466200
destination of their choice. Terms & Conditions apply. Enter 415
www.pyroban.com Enter 414
16 JANUARY 2010 Materials Handling & Logistics
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