The arrival of winter doesn’t just bring colder temperatures. It introduces challenges that can disrupt operations and increase safety risks. Slippery surfaces, reduced visibility, and the toll that freezing conditions take on equipment all contribute to a more hazardous worksite. Each year, many businesses face unplanned downtime because they didn’t prepare for the harsh realities of winter. But that doesn’t have to be your story. By taking proactive steps, you can safeguard your worksite, equipment, and team, ensuring uninterrupted operations through even the harshest months.
Here’s how you can winter-proof your site and keep productivity on track. Jofson has years of experience preparing worksites for Winter by helping operations managers out with forklifts for hiring and buying in the Manchester and Birmingham areas.
What Can I Do to Prepare My Worksite for Winter?
Cold weather impacts both people and equipment. The following practical steps will help you address these challenges:
1. Battery Maintenance
Cold temperatures reduce battery efficiency. Ensure batteries are charged regularly, and water levels are checked. Store batteries in a warm environment when possible to maximise their performance and lifespan.
2. Coolant Levels
Maintaining the correct coolant levels is critical in freezing weather. Leaks are more likely in winter, so schedule regular inspections to catch and address issues before they result in costly breakdowns.
3. Increase Maintenance Frequency
Winter conditions often accelerate wear and tear on equipment, leading to more frequent malfunctions. Adjust your service schedules to account for these challenges, allowing you to catch potential problems early and minimise downtime.
4. Tyre Checks
Tyres play a crucial role in maintaining stability on slippery surfaces. Inspect for wear and ensure tyres are inflated to the correct pressure. Consider upgrading to tyres specifically designed for winter work to improve grip and safety.
5. Lighting and Visibility
With shorter days, ensuring proper lighting across your site is essential. Equip forklifts with reliable lighting systems and encourage all personnel to wear high-visibility clothing. This improves both safety and efficiency during darker hours.
6. Warm Up the Trucks
Like cars, forklifts benefit from warming up before use. This practice helps prevent combustion and transmission issues, reducing the risk of unexpected downtime.
7. Prepare Operators for the Cold
Don’t overlook your team. Cold temperatures can impair focus and dexterity, increasing the risk of accidents. Provide insulated gloves, jackets, and other winter gear to keep workers warm, safe, and productive.
Winter-Ready Forklift Features
Modern forklifts come with features designed to handle winter conditions. These include:
- Climate-Controlled Cabins: Keep operators warm and focused, even in freezing weather.
- High-Capacity Batteries: Reduce the impact of cold temperatures on battery performance, minimising downtime.
- Electric Differential Lock: Improves traction on slippery surfaces, enhancing stability.
- Intelligent Cornering System: Automatically adjusts speed during turns, ensuring safer manoeuvres in wet or icy conditions.
Why Winter Preparation Matters
Preparing your worksite for winter isn’t just about safety; it’s about protecting your productivity and profitability. Unplanned breakdowns and accidents lead to costly downtime and delays. By implementing these measures, you can maintain smooth operations while keeping your team and equipment safe.
Take the time to assess your worksite, service schedules, and equipment now. The steps you take today will pay off with safer, more efficient operations all winter long.
Prepare Your Worksite For Winter With Jofson
Looking for winter-ready forklifts or advice on how to keep your fleet operating smoothly this season? Contact us at Jofson to explore Mitsubishi forklifts equipped with features designed to tackle winter head-on.