Unicarriers’ Focus On Ergonomics: Enhancing Operator Comfort and Productivity

If you’re among the 1.6 million people working in Canada’s construction industry, it should come as no surprise that comfort impacts safety.

Prioritizing forklift operator comfort limits distractions and promotes a safe warehousing environment. Read on to learn how UniCarriers can help boost the ergonomics of driving a forklift in manufacturing warehouses and construction sites.

Understanding the Ergonomics of Driving a Forklift in Canada

Ergonomics is defined as matching a job or piece of equipment to the employee or user. It’s often used in office environments to describe chairs, lighting, and other tools used to make the worker more comfortable. Comfort is a huge part of what makes equipment ergonomic, though the long-term goal is to make a job less taxing on the individual’s body.

Forklift ergonomics are especially important to drivers since operators sit for long periods. They also twist their bodies to move and control equipment, which can put a strain on muscles and joints. This can progress to severe pain and a lower range of movement.

Sudden stops are also problematic for forklift operator safety. They can cause minor whiplash injuries that inhibit their ability to work. Forklifts should ideally move smoothly without any jerkiness.

Luckily, equipment manufacturers like UniCarriers work to create ergonomic advancements to improve forklift operator comfort.

How Does UniCarriers Equipment Use Forklift Ergonomics Best Practices?

UniCarriers develops forklifts with ergonomics at the forefront of each design. The driver stays inside the machine regardless of their specific position or task. The seat improves their body position so they don’t develop back pain or fatigue.

Furthermore, the steering wheel design is completely adjustable. Individual operators can adjust the height to meet their needs, and the angle is also modifiable based on the direction they’re driving in.

Sensitive power steering and cornering control also limit jerky movements. The operator can move stably regardless of the weight of whatever load they’re carrying. This keeps their body upright and moving smoothly.

Plus, since there’s an optical sensor in the forklift rather than a pedal, it’s easy to relax the whole body while driving. This means less back pain and leg cramping.

Making the Most of UniCarriers Forklifts

However, there are also some things that you must do to keep forklift operators comfortable in UniCarriers forklifts. Training is key because it informs people of how to sit on the forklift comfortably. You can give Vancouver operators tips for adjusting the wheel height and angle and inform them of optimal heights and movements.

You also should make the handbook explaining how to use the forklift readily accessible. Operators should have constant access to information about ergonomic use.

When paired with effective fleet management software, offering this information upfront will keep your warehouse or construction site running smoothly. People work better when they are comfortable, and fewer work injuries mean less time off.

Boost Forklift Operator Safety and Comfort

Now that you know how to improve safety and comfort with the ergonomics of driving a forklift, it’s time to begin purchasing quality equipment. We serve warehouse and dock managers across multiple areas, including Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and Lethbridge.

Reach out to ARPAC Innovative Material Handling Solutions to get more insight on UniCarriers products.