Submitted by Steve Winicker
LAST WEEKENDS SHOP ACTIVITY
I spent Tuesday using the rest of the refractory I purchased to make a couple of more arch brick. The rest of the week was spent on small projects, cleaning, the box car and cleaning up the brick molds. I decided rather than just toss out the old refractory I would attempt to use it mixing in just the amount of water. Low and behold two usable brick were produced. Sunday Zach and a small crew worked on sealing the tender leaks. That work was accomplished and should take care of the tender leaks.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
Some additional interior paint for the tender has been ordered. If it arrives in time, we will get some mixed up and coat the area of the new repair and a few other areas missed earlier. My plan is to do this by brushing it on as the spots needing attention are too scattered to make spraying practical. Some additional old refractory can be mixed for additional brick making as well.
SAFETY SENSE
Forklifts are excellent labor-saving devices. They save time and reduce the likelihood of injury associated with manual material handling activities. However, forklifts can become extremely dangerous if operated by a reckless or untrained operator. All operators should receive safety training prior to being allowed to operate a forklift.
Forklift accidents tend to be very serious, involving both personal injury and damage to property. These accidents can be avoided if operators use some common sense and follow safe operating procedures. Do not operate a forklift until you have been properly trained and authorized to do so.
Here are a few common safety rules to follow during forklift operation:
Use the seat belt. It will keep you secured in the seat in the unplanned event of a tip over.
A parked forklift should have the forks flat on the floor with the controls set to neutral and with the parking brake set.
A forklift is “unattended” if the operator is more than 25 feet away or if the forklift is out of the direct vision of the operator. Unattended forklifts should be parked with the engine turned off.
When operating the forklift on inclines, the load should always be on the uphill side of the incline. Drive forward going up the incline. Drive backward going down the incline.
When traveling without a load on the forks, keep the forks approximately four to six inches off the floor. Never allow anyone to walk underneath a raised load. Stop at all blind corners to check for other traffic in the area including pedestrians. Honk your horn and look before you proceed.
If carrying a tall load that blocks your forward vision, drive in reverse and turn your head so you can see where you are going. If operating around another forklift, maintain a three-forklift length distance between forklifts and never attempt passing. Never drive a forklift up to the back of a person who is unaware that the forklift is behind them.
SAFETY IS JOB 1
SAFETY FIRST ALWAYS
