Jungheinrich Warehouse Forklift Salt Lake City

Environmental Problems Regarding Electric Forklift Batteries

Electric forklifts are generally safer and more stable compared to gas and diesel powered lift trucks. Diesel and gasoline engines emit toxic exhaust and pose a risk of fire. On the other hand, electric lift trucks can be dangerous, too. They have rechargeable batteries as their source of power, and batteries could present risks to personal safety as well as to the natural world. There are risks connected with the manufacture, use, disposal and storage of rechargeable batteries for lift trucks.



Manufacturing

Most forklift batteries are made by placing lead plates into a solution of sulfuric acid. These are known as lead-acid rechargeable batteries. Lead is a toxin which, when utilized in manufacturing processes, poses hazards to water quality due to drainage and runoff. When lead enters a water system it could cause different kinds of health problems to people and could even lead to death. The sulfuric acid used in forklift batteries is harmful to skin and can result in severe burns. Sulfuric acid also produces toxic fumes that can cause damage to both human beings and the natural world.



Regular Storage and Use

When recharging, the lead-acid battery could produce hydrogen gas as a chemical byproduct. When recharging batteries for any kinds of vehicle or a forklift, heat, flames, smoking and sparks must be kept well away from the recharging site. The flammable hydrogen can cause an explosion if ignited by heat or flame.



If it touches the bare skin, sulfuric acid in the batteries can result in chemical burns. This is not a problem during normal use of the battery, but if a battery is punctured or damaged, the acid can leak or spray, potentially burning anybody who is nearby.



Disposal

Disposing of lead-acid batteries improperly should be avoided at all costs. The sulfuric acid can either be recycled or neutralized or could be reused in new batteries. In order to avoid the serious environmental consequences of incorrect disposal, all lead-acid batteries sold or bought in the U.S. include a "core charge" which would just be returned if the used battery is turned in.

• Mitsubishi Large Capacity Forklift Salt Lake City
  Sometimes, it pays to examine the process of selecting a forklift. Like for example, does your company always choose the same units for your dock work? If so, you can potentially miss out on a... More
• Doosan LP Forklifts Salt Lake City
  Basic Training Information for LPG Liquefied petroleum gas contains 90 percent propane and has no smell or color. This fuel, also referred to as LPG, derives from natural gas. Liquid Petroleum Gas is extracted using... More
• Daewoo Large Capacity Forklift Salt Lake City
  Early History In the early part of the 1960s, the government of South Korea started a new economic plan that requires the conglomerates, or chaebols, to focus on increasing production for export. A series of... More
• Hyster Cushion Tire Forklift Salt Lake City
  The varied range of industrial tasks and application would rely on many different kinds of machinery. Because of this, Hyster has designed pre-configured engine transmission bundles, enabling the customer to only pay for the options... More
• Kalmar Gas Forklifts Salt Lake City
  In the marketplace, lift trucks will have a lot of names, however the names do not alter the way the machinery is set up to function. The side loader or forklift is just one of... More