Forklift lighting – it's worth knowing!
Safety must be ensured in plants where forklifts are used. The key is, among others: equipping vehicles with appropriate lighting. This increases the visibility of the trucks both during the day and at night. What should the lights for such vehicles be like?
Forklift lighting and the law
Appropriate regulations apply to the installation of forklift lighting. According to them, the vehicle owner should equip the vehicle with LED or halogen lamps, placed on the ambulance or protective roof. This arrangement allows for illumination of the device's operating zone.
According to applicable law, forklifts must be equipped with front and rear lighting. This is required by the Office of Technical Inspection (UDT), which supervises such devices. A forklift without appropriate lamps will not be approved for use, and in the event of an accident involving it, the employer may face serious problems.
Warning lamps for forklift
Warning lamps are also installed in forklifts. Their purpose is to prevent situations in which bystanders fail to notice an approaching vehicle. These types of lights are most often red or blue. There is an option to use flashing lamps, which attract the attention of passers-by or other operators much better.
Lighting for a forklift moving on the road
Forklifts are usually used for intra-plant transport. In some cases, it is possible to drive them on public roads, but this requires compliance with specific regulations. The stroller should be equipped with:
- emergency lights,
- turn signals,
- dipped beam headlights,
- rear lights,
- brake lights,
- two headlights.
Such lamps are not necessary when the forklift only moves within the company's premises. Then, standard rear and front lights as well as halogen or LED lights placed on the ambulance will be enough.
LED or halogen stroller lamps?
Modern companies focus on saving money - also when it comes to small accessories used in forklifts. For this reason, they perform much better LED lamps, which consume significantly less electricity than halogen models. This is important for both electric and combustion-powered forklifts. Such bulbs do not burn out suddenly and their service life can be up to several years. They do not emit heat, so there is no risk of burns if you accidentally touch them.
How to choose forklift lighting?
Forklift lighting must match the model of the vehicle used. Only then can the lamps be stably attached to its structure. Therefore, it is worth choosing original parts, available from the manufacturer of a given forklift. Such lamps remain efficient for a long time and comply with the requirements of the Office of Technical Inspection regarding proper vehicle lighting.
If the forklift is also used outside the building, it is necessary to purchase light bulbs with an appropriate IP protection level. Such products are resistant to water. Typically, forklift lamps are mounted in special plastic covers that protect them from above.
Forklift lighting in winter
In some companies, forklifts are used outside the building. Before the winter season, it is worth carefully checking the condition of their components, which will be exposed to harmful weather conditions in the following months. When it comes to lighting, in winter it is best to choose LED lamps, which are much brighter. They ensure visibility even during heavy snowfall. Such lamps must be adapted to work at low temperatures and be tight enough to prevent evaporation.
Why is forklift lighting so important?
Forklift lighting is required for a reason. It sometimes happens that the loading yards or halls are too dark to work comfortably. Lamps placed on top of the vehicle help the employee load and unload goods in the right place. This affects both the safety of products and the people working with them.
Forklifts are equipped with rear and front lighting. All this so that other road users or pedestrians can notice the approaching vehicle. In this way, collisions between forklifts and other vehicles on squares or halls can be prevented. The use of lighting also minimizes the number of accidents involving pedestrians working, for example, while unloading.
Are you looking for proven lighting for forklifts straight from the manufacturer? We invite you to familiarize yourself with our assortment!