BACK TO BUSINESS: FORKLIFT TRUCK SAFETY IN THE ERA OF COVID-19
In a matter of weeks, the world changed. Sports leagues came to an abrupt halt, schools closed and businesses shutdown across the country. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to flatten the curve and combat the spread left only select, essential businesses open to provide critical supplies and services.
On the front lines, supply chains persevered through uncertainty. Even in the face of cases climbing higher, a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) and an explosion of e-commerce orders, essential workers kept store shelves stocked and deliveries moving.
A few months later, and it’s time to hit the reset button on business. Companies are ready to get back to work, but doing so successfully while accounting for the lasting impact of COVID-19, requires a collective effort, adopting best practices for health and hygiene at every level.
During the COVID-19 outbreak, many materials handling operations postponed critical maintenance and repairs in an effort to limit the risk of outside personnel introducing the virus. But this course of action comes with another set of risks, as equipment failure can stymie productivity and even threaten workplace safety.
Talk to your maintenance and repair partner about their approach to health and safety, and how they can perform essential service while adhering to site-specific guidelines.
