Do you know which U.S. city receives the most rainfall? It’s not Seattle. It’s Mobile, Alabama (tied for first place with New Orleans). The second rainiest city is Huntsville, Alabama. Two other cities in the Mid-South also rank in the top ten: Memphis (seventh) and Nashville (ninth).
Here’s where I’m going with this…
I’ve heard managers say, “I don’t care if my operators get wet or get sweaty. They know the work conditions when they apply for the job.” Fair point, but that doesn’t mean operators like getting drenched or being baked by the sun.
To reduce discomfort, operators will sometimes add a cardboard “roof” to the forklift to block the sun and rain. Unfortunately, that cardboard is a hazard because it blocks the operator’s view once the load goes above a certain height.
Professionally-made forklift roofs and cabin enclosures are a simple way to keep operators comfortable without compromising safety. There are different options depending on the forklift make and model.
The next step up is a polycarbonate forklift cabin enclosure. Cab enclosures typically include hinged doors and both front and rear windshields. When ordered from the factory at the same time as your forklift you can get:
If you own a Toyota forklift, we can retrofit your lift truck with a roof panel, side curtains and/or windshields You can find a list of compatible models on the TuffCab product page.
Operator Comfort
Trying to work with the sun in your eyes or rain dripping on your face is no fun. When operators are comfortable, they’re more productive.
Protect the Interior
Do you plan on selling your forklift down the line? A forklift cabin enclosure can reduce damage to the interior.
Safety
An enclosed cabin protects operators from falling objects and can minimize noise — allowing operators to hear important messages over the radio or alarms alerting them to a pedestrian.
Inexpensive cabin enclosures that are basically a plastic poncho — should be avoided at all costs. They may keep out the rain, but they also fog up and provide little protection from debris. Purpose-built forklift roofs and cabin enclosures:
Investing in a forklift rain cover or cabin enclosure shows your hardworking operators you value their comfort and safety. As my mom always said, “you’ll never regret being kind.”
We can retrofit most Toyota forklifts and can help you choose the best cabin cover or enclosure for Clark, Komatsu, Linde or Toyota forklift. Contact a forklift expert at The Lilly Company online or by phone 844-LILLYCO (1-844-545-5926) with any questions you have, or visit us at one of our 13 locations across the Mid-South.
Arkansas - Jonesboro
Alabama - Birmingham, Dothan, Irondale, Madison, Mobile, and Montgomery
Mississippi - Belden and Richland
Tennessee - Jackson, Kingsport, Knoxville, and Memphis
Related Reading
Seat Belts and Other Forklift Safety Accessories
Top 4 Forklift Operator Bad Habits
Pallet Rack Safety: Protect Your Employees and Investment