Tools and Gadgets Every Handy Person Needs

Last updated on Nov 29, 2023
Michale LeRoy

Are you looking for a gift for that handy person in your life? Whether it's for a birthday, holiday, or just to show your appreciation, finding the perfect gift for someone who loves to work with their hands can be a challenge. After all, these professionals work with their hands day in and day out, so they appreciate tools and gadgets that can make their job easier and more efficient. We've put together a handyman's gift guide that is sure to impress even the most skilled tradesperson.

1. Safety Box Cutter

Hand using an orange safety cutter to open a box

Orange Klever Kutter KCJ-XC-35G

A box cutter may seem like a simple tool, but using these cutters safely is of utmost importance. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), thousands of workers are injured every year due to improper box cutter use. We recommend the Klever Kutter as a gift because it's designed with safety in mind. It features a recessed blade that helps prevent accidental cuts and injuries. Unlike traditional box cutters with exposed blades, the Klever Kutter's blade is hidden within the tool, reducing the risk of accidentally cutting yourself or damaging the contents of the box.

Another safety feature of the Klever Kutter is its ergonomic design. The tool is easy to grip and maneuver, reducing the risk of slipping and causing injury. A Klever Kutter box cutter is designed to be a single-use tool, meaning the blade is not replaceable. This eliminates the risk of using a dull blade, which can increase the likelihood of accidents.

Shop Klever Kutter

2. Rechargeable Headlamp

worker fixing an old pipe wearing a head lamp

PowerSmith PHL15F Headlamp

The PowerSmith rechargeable LED headlamp is not your average flashlight. This powerful tool is designed to provide hands-free lighting in even the darkest of situations. Whether they're working in a tight crawl space or trying to fix a leaky pipe in a dimly lit basement, this headlamp will ensure that they have the visibility they need to get the job done right.

One of the standout features of the PowerSmith rechargeable LED headlamp is its rechargeable battery. Gone are the days of constantly buying and replacing batteries. With this headlamp, all you need to do is plug it in and let it charge. It's as simple as that. Plus, the battery life on this headlamp is impressive, lasting up to 10 hours on a single charge. That means your handyman can work late into the night without worrying about their light source running out of juice.

Shop Headlamps

3. Cut-Resistant Work Gloves

cordova work gloves

Cordova 7739 OGRE-CR+ Gloves

When it comes to picking out the right gift for a handy person, you can't go wrong with a pair of cut-resistant gloves. These Cordova gloves are designed with the oil, gas, and refining equipment (OGRE) industry in mind, making them perfect for heavy-duty tasks in construction, shop work, and industrial applications. One of the standout features of these gloves is their superior grip. No matter what you're working on, these gloves will help you maintain a secure hold, reducing the risk of accidents and improving overall efficiency.

But it's not just about grip – these gloves also offer exceptional protection. Made with a high-performance 13 gauge fabric, they provide ANSI level 4 cut resistance. This means they can withstand heavy-duty tasks and offer reliable protection from abrasions, cuts, tears, and punctures. Whether you're handling sharp tools or working with rough materials, these gloves have got you covered.

Shop Cordova Gloves

4. Heavy-Duty Cleaning Wipes

pack of cleaning wipes

Grime Boss 60-Count Cleaning Wipes

Cleaning wipes are a practical and useful present for anyone who loves to tackle tough projects and get their hands dirty. Grime Boss heavy-duty wipes, in particular, are designed to tackle even the toughest messes. With a tough side and a soft side, these wipes offer versatility and convenience.

The tough side is perfect for scrubbing away grime and dirt, while the soft side is gentle enough for delicate surfaces. This dual-sided feature ensures that these wipes can handle any cleaning task with ease. Whether it's latex paint, grease, oil, permanent marker, or adhesives, these wipes are up to the challenge. No more struggling to clean up after a project - these wipes make the job effortless and efficient.

Shop Grime Boss Wipes

5. Hand-Warming Packs

pack of cleaning wipes

Ergodyne 16990 N-Ferno Hand Warming Packs

One of the great things about hand-warming packs is their versatility. They're perfect for on-the-go use while traveling or working outdoors for long periods. Hand warmer packs can be slipped into gloves or pockets, making them convenient to carry around. Whether your handy friend is out camping, hiking, or working in cold weather conditions, these packs can provide much-needed warmth and comfort.

Ergodyne N-Ferno hand warmer packs heat up instantly when exposed to the air. Once activated, they offer an impressive 12 hours of warmth. This means your handy giftee can enjoy long-lasting heat throughout their day, without having to constantly replace or recharge the packs.

6. Outdoor Extension Cord

pack of cleaning wipes

Voltec 05-00341 25' Extension Cord

A high-quality extension cord is a practical and thoughtful gift for a tradesperson, whether they work in construction, landscaping, or any industry that requires work done outdoors. The Voltec 05-00341 extension cord is designed to withstand tough weather conditions. It has a temperature range of -40 to 140 degrees, ensuring that it can handle extreme heat or cold without compromising its performance. This makes it a reliable choice for year-round use, no matter the weather.

One standout feature of this outdoor extension cord is its lighted receptacle, which illuminates when the power is on. This can be incredibly helpful when working in low-light conditions, allowing you to easily see if the power is flowing to your tools, outdoor equipment, or a backup generator.

Shop Outdoor Extension Cords

7. Gel Knee Pads

pack of cleaning wipes

Impacto All-Terrain Gel Extended Knee Pads

One gift that often gets overlooked but can be a game-changer for tradespeople is a pair of protective knee pads. These handy accessories not only provide comfort during long hours of work but also offer essential protection against injuries, strain, and inflammation.

The gel padding in Impacto Gel knee pads is designed to provide all-day comfort. Tradespeople often have to spend hours on their knees, whether it's installing flooring, repairing plumbing, or working on construction projects. With the Impacto all-terrain gel extended knee pads, the gel padding absorbs and distributes pressure, ensuring that the wearer can focus on their task without discomfort or pain.

Shop Knee Pads

8. Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum

pack of cleaning wipes

Lavex 5 Gallon Stainless Steel Commercial Wet / Dry Vacuum

A combination wet/dry vac is a type of vacuum that's extremely useful in busy workshops. They're designed to handle both wet and dry messes, making them ideal for a wide range of cleaning tasks. Whether it's cleaning up sawdust or tackling a spilled drink on the job site, a wet and dry vacuum can handle it all.

The Lavex 5-gallon vacuum is an affordable gift that provides superior cleaning abilities for its size. With an airflow rating of 53 cfm, this lightweight vacuum provides strong suction to tackle even the toughest cleaning tasks. Whether it's fine dust or large debris, the motor ensures efficient and thorough cleaning.

Shop Wet/Dry Vacs

9. Cooling Towel

pack of cleaning wipes

Ergodyne Chill-Its 6602 Blue Cooling Towel

A cooling towel is a practical gift for tradespeople who often find themselves working in hot and humid conditions, whether they're on a construction site, in a warehouse, or even in a hot commercial kitchen. The physical demands of the job combined with the sweltering heat can quickly lead to overheating and fatigue. That's where a cooling towel comes in.

Cooling towels, like the Ergodyne Chill-Its towel, are made from a special fabric that is designed to retain water while remaining dry to the touch. This unique material allows the towel to stay cool for an extended period, providing instant relief when draped around the neck or over the head. The evaporative cooling effect helps to lower body temperature, reduce perspiration, and keep your hardworking loved one comfortable throughout the day.

Shop Cooling Towels

10. Full Face Shield

full face shield

3M 82782-00000 H8A Blue Thermoplastic Ratchet Headgear

A full face shield provides maximum protection for the entire face, shielding the eyes, nose, and mouth from potentially hazardous debris, chemicals, and other particles. If you're looking for a gift for a tradesperson who works in woodworking or metalworking, a 3M thermoplastic ratchet face shield is a thoughtful choice. This face shield is compatible with a variety of 3M headgear, including hard hats, bump caps, and welding helmets. The recipient can easily integrate it into their existing safety gear setup, making it a practical and convenient addition to their toolkit.

What sets the 3M Thermoplastic Ratchet face shield apart from other face shields on the market is its ratchet suspension system. This innovative feature allows for easy adjustment and a secure fit, ensuring that the face shield stays in place even during the most demanding tasks. The ratchet system also makes it quick and simple to put on and take off the face shield, which is a huge advantage for busy professionals who need to switch between different tasks throughout the day.

Shop Face Shields

Finding the perfect gift for a tradesperson doesn't have to be complicated. Choose a present from our list to show your appreciation for the handy person or DIYer in your life who loves to tackle tough, dirty jobs. You'll help keep them safe and make their projects easier and more efficient.

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. Please refer to our Content Policy for more details.
External Link

You are about to leave the security of WebstaurantStore.com.

We are not responsible for the privacy policy or any content, links or software, or any consequences from your access to or use of the technologies, websites, information and programs made available on this new site.

Do you want to proceed?

Related Resources

  • Types of Respirators

    Respirators are an essential piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) used across many industries, including construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture. They protect against harmful airborne particles, gases, and vapors, ensuring the safety and well-being of workers. When you're shopping for the right respirator, you'll quickly realize they aren't all created equal. We'll walk you through the different types of respirators and explain how to choose the correct one for your specific application. Shop All Respirators Click below to learn more about the different types of respirators: Dust Masks Full-Face Respirators Half-Face Respirators Valve Respirators Non-Valve Respirators NIOSH Ratings Explained

  • Warehouse Safety

    If you are opening a warehouse, getting every single detail right can seem daunting, and knowing what to prioritize is even more challenging. When it comes to the safety of your employees, we’ll make it simple for you: before employing your warehouse staff, you need to strategize and implement warehouse safety procedures around your facility. Once you've hired your employees, educate them on popular safety acronyms so they can evaluate risks and respond to emergencies. Below we have outlined the various warehouse safety standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) so you can be certain that your warehouse safety is good to go. Select which section interests you: Commonly Cited Hazards Warehouse Safety Topics Additional OSHA Safety Topics OSHA’s 10 Most Commonly Cited Warehouse Safety Hazards If OSHA finds a safety violation in your warehouse where safety standards are not being met, they will issue a costly citation. Below is a list of OSHA’s most common warehouse citations: Forklifts Hazard communication Electrical, wiring methods Electrical, system design Guarding floor &amp; wall openings and holes Exits Mechanical power transmission Respiratory protection Lockout/tagout Portable fire extinguishers Back to Top Warehouse Safety Topics To reduce the probability of being cited for one of OSHA’s most common citations, follow OSHA’s guidelines list below (found in their Warehousing Safety Brochure) on reducing hazards in specific areas of the warehouse: 1. Forklift Safety Understanding and training your employees on proper forklift safety is extremely important. According to OSHA, about 100 employees are killed and 95,000 are injured every year while operating forklifts. In fact, it is best to avoid working at heights unless absolutely necessary, especially when considering forklift and even ladder safety. Apply the same rules as driving a car to driving a forklift such as paying attention to speed limits, wearing a seatbelt, and watching where you are driving. If anything, more caution should be taken while operating a forklift as workers walk freely throughout the warehouse. Below are a few solutions to avoiding forklift hazards according to OSHA: Ensure that all employees can operate forklifts safely by providing proper training, evaluation, and certifications for all operators Create safe clearances for forklifts in aisles and loading docks, and prevent noxious gases from forming by ventilating parked forklift areas Maintain the quality and upkeep of a forklift by checking for hazards before driving and examining hazardous conditions 2. Loading Dock Safety An elevated surface can create more hazards than one might think. Products falling on employees, improper use of equipment, and being unaware of the dock’s edge are just a few problems that can happen in the loading dock area. With that, it's important that traffic control plans are developed to avoid collisions. Loading dock edges should be properly lit and marked with visual warnings as helpful visuals for drivers and employees. Guard rails should also be installed for further protection for employees, to discourage jumping, and other poor ergonomics or horseplay. Another consideration is proper ventilation to prevent noxious fumes from forming. Below are OSHA’s recommendations on avoiding potential loading dock hazards: Make sure to secure the dock plates and check to see if they can safely support the load Dock edges should be clear and have signs that provide visual warnings 3. Conveyor Safety Because conveyor belts are ongoing machines, they pose a wide variety of potential hazards to your employees. Risks like clothing or jewelry getting caught, standing and falling off the conveyors, and items getting stuck in the belt can pose very unsafe threats for your employees. Make sure employees are wearing mandated safety uniforms to reduce the risk of clothing getting caught, while training them on the dangers of standing, sitting, and walking on the moving belt. It's also important to note that if items are caught in the belt, a lockout system is initiated instead of trying to resolve the problem while the conveyor belt is still operating. From being caught in pinch points to products falling off the belt, find out how to deflect common hazards with conveyor safety solutions as outlined by OSHA: Identify pinch points and ensure they are adequately guarded Create systems that lockout conveyors and train employees in these procedures 4. Material Storage Safety Properly stacking and storing materials using material handling equipment is imperative when working with tall shelving units in your warehouse. Keep in mind proper box and pallet stacking patterns to maximize space and secure storage. When stored improperly, the materials may fall and injure workers. Properly storing equipment, such as ladders, also prevents workplace accidents and prolongs the life of the equipment. Because of this, you'll want to supply your workers with PPE such as thick gloves to avoid sharp edges and steel-toed safety boots to prevent foot injuries. Other great products to supply your employees with are handles or holders that can be attached to heavier loads as it makes it easier to maneuver the load and reduce any pinched fingers. To avoid these maladies, follow OSHA’s safety guidelines for material storage: Boxes need to be stacked straight and evenly, and the heavier loads should be stacked on the lower or middle shelves Aisles and passageways need to be clear of any objects 5. Manual Lifting Safety Protecting your employees’ well-being is paramount to being a good employer and keeping your workers employed. During a laborious job, your employees can sustain short- or long-term injuries from improper lifting or overexertion. Luckily, there are a lot of ways to eliminate this! Before onboarding employees, focus on the design and function of the work environment to fit employees' physical requirements, such as safety devices, lighting, tools, and other aspects of the various workstations. Checking these ergonomics and structuring them with employees in mind reduces repetitive motion injuries and other stressors. In short, you need to make the job as easy as possible for them to carry out. OSHA’s solutions on avoiding improper manual lifting and handling should be instilled into your daily operations: Mandate training for general ergonomics and encourage employees to help/ask for help when a product is too heavy Eliminate or minimize the need for lifting by acquiring well-designed engineering techniques 6. Hazard Communication Standard Hazardous chemicals can be common in certain types of warehouses. The Hazard Communication Standard (HAZCOM) is a requirement by OSHA for employers in the United States to disclose hazardous substances in a workplace. Being cautious of where these are present in your facility and knowing how to take action when spills of hazardous materials occur is extremely important for your employees’ safety. Below are solutions from OSHA for dealing with hazardous materials and how to prevent them in the first place: All chemicals in the warehouse should have Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) with instructions on how to handle the chemicals Write out a spill control plan and have spill cleanup kits present anywhere that the chemicals are stored Train each employee about the hazards of the chemicals being stored, how to properly wear their PPE, and how to clean up the spills 7. Battery Charging Station Safety While charging stations are important for energizing your electric equipment, they can also pose dangerous threats if not treated with caution. These stations house powerful fueling operations such as gasoline, batteries, and liquid petroleum gas. Hazards like fires and explosions are possible if guidelines and general safety aren’t followed around these stations. Taking preventative measures to avoid hazards in your charging station are outlined in OSHA’s guidebook as follows: Forbid smoking or any open flames in charging station areas and keep fresh air flowing or adequate ventilation to prevent noxious gases from forming Follow procedures for refueling gas or propane forklifts and provide readily available and fully charged fire extinguishers Install an eyewash station and safety shower for employees to use in case of exposure to battery acids 8. Ergonomics Safety Along with improper manual lifting, employees can also injure themselves from continuously performing repetitive motions or injure themselves from poor design of the operation. While there is training that can be done to show your employees how to perform their tasks safely, there are also machines and tools to look into for additional security. Some machines to check out are tilters, tilted pick trays, and back saver lifts. All of these heavily reduce repetitive motions like bending and twisting. Tilters position boxes so the contents are easier to access instead of bending in, reaching, and pulling contents out over and over again. Tilted pick trays help workers see the items that are higher up on the pallet track so they can pick the boxes with confidence instead of scaling beams or reaching into boxes blindly and wasting time. Finally, back saver lifts are perfect for your employees who lift, stack, and assemble all day long. These machines help with positioning and pallet picking! To keep your employees safe and healthy both short and long term, follow OSHA’s solutions for proper ergonomics in the warehouse: Eliminate lifts from floor to shoulder height by raising the shelf or bin Educate employees to lift with their legs and keep their backs in natural positions Encourage employees to test the load before manually lifting to ensure they can handle the weight and size and decide which lifting method they should use Back to Top Additional OSHA Safety Topics To further strengthen your warehouse safety standards, we have outlined additional advice and solutions that you can implement in your facility: 1. Provide Appropriate PPE According to OSHA’s PPE Brochure, employers are responsible for evaluating their warehouses and assessing what PPE is needed to keep employees safe. Here are the steps to follow to decide what PPE is necessary for your business: Performing a “hazard assessment” of the facility. To first decide what safety measures need to be taken, it's important to identify the hazards around your facility. A hazard assessment is just that. A hazard assessment identifies both physical hazards (such as moving objects, intense lighting, electrical connections, etc.) and health hazards (such as excessive dust and exposure to harmful chemicals or radiation). Identifying and providing appropriate PPE for employees. After the hazard assessment, analyze the data to determine the proper PPE needed at the warehouse. Familiarize yourself with the different types of PPE available as well as the different levels of protection. You can never go wrong with selecting PPE that will provide more protection than the minimum required so you can keep your employees safe from hazards! Training employees in the use and care of the PPE. Demonstrate to each employee how to properly wear and use PPE before they work. If you notice that an employee who has received training is not practicing the proper use of PPE, that employee needs to be trained again. You should also retrain employees if the warehouse changes or new PPE needs to be used to complete tasks. Maintaining PPE, including replacing worn or damaged PPE. According to OSHA's PPE Handout, employers must provide and pay for PPE as well as replace PPE as needed to keep workers safe. Encourage your employees to talk to management immediately when PPE is damaged, and keep a supply of extra PPE on hand to quickly remedy these situations. Periodically reviewing, updating, and evaluating the effectiveness of the PPE program. Schedule regular, periodic times to reassess your facility for changes in equipment use, operating procedures, and other conditions that may affect occupational hazards. It’s also recommended that you review injury or illness records to find patterns that could be addressed, as well as evaluate PPE to assess its current condition. 2. Mandatory Signage OSHA’s signage guidelines inform employers of the types of warehouse signage that are needed, where they should be placed around the facility, and how to properly display them. There are many different categories that your safety signs will be needed for: notice, general safety, admittance, fire safety, and non-hazard. Each sign present should have one of three levels of classification: caution, warning, or danger. Caution Signs: Potentially hazardous area that may cause minor injuries. Warning Signs: Area that requires special attention and may have unexpected hazards. Danger Signs: The most hazardous area that could have life-threatening conditions. 3. Fire Prevention Plan Create a fire prevention plan to eliminate any potential risk for fires in your warehouse. Follow OSHA’s fire prevention plan requirements for a list of what to include in your plan, including fire prevention supplies you may need. This plan should be written out and kept in the workplace, making it readily available for an employee to review at any time. As an employer, you are also required to inform each employee about fire hazards they are exposed to and review the fire prevention plan with them as well. 4. Emergency Action Plan An emergency action plan (EAP) is a written document that outlines the actions that should be taken by employers and employees during a workplace emergency. Develop an EAP according to OSHA’s standards, and train your employees with the EAP plan and update as needed. For a more detailed list of these requirements, check out OSHA’s EAP minimum requirements page. 5. Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is a list of step-by-step instructions outlined by an employer to assist workers with routine tasks. SOP’s are essential for businesses as they reduce failures of complying with industry regulations and reduce miscommunication. SOP’s promote efficiency, performance quality, and consistent output results. Back to Top Besides costing potentially thousands to ten thousands worth in damages, turnover, loss of sales, and lawsuits, keeping your employees safe for the simple matter of maintaining their quality of life is the number one factor of why warehouse safety matters. According to OSHA, the fatal injury rate for the warehousing industry is higher than the national average for all industries, so it is imperative to follow the warehouse safety standards set by OSHA. <aside class="pquote"> <blockquote> The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. Please refer to our Content Policy for more details. </blockquote> </aside>

  • How To Use A Pallet Jack

    Pallet jacks are a common sight in industrial environments where pallets and skids are used to transport loads to different warehouse locations. They’re especially useful for small businesses and warehouses because they’re more affordable than forklifts and they don’t require a special license for operation. Pallet movers are fairly easy to use after a quick tutorial. We created this guide to help you operate a manual pallet jack safely and effectively. Shop All Pallet Jacks Using a Pallet Jack Safely Watch our video to learn how to operate a pallet jack safely. <iframe scrolling="no" width="392" height="226" src="/v/?num=14008&amp;width=600&amp;height=500&amp;embed=1" frameborder="0"></iframe> What Is a Pallet Jack? First of all, what is a pallet jack? A pallet jack, also called a pallet truck, pallet mover, or hand jack lift, is a piece of material handling equipment that utilizes a hydraulic pump and two forks to lift and transport pallets. Manual pallet jacks require no electricity and are steered by hand. There are also battery-powered electric pallet jacks that do require a charge before use. If you own a warehouse or fulfillment center, pallet jacks are essential for loading, unloading, and storing pallets. Manual vs Electric Pallet Jacks The difference between a manual skid jack and an electric model is that manual pallet jacks rely solely on manpower to push or pull the load, instead of a battery. It takes physical force to move a manual pallet jack. This adds to the labor involved, but it also has benefits, especially for smaller warehouses with less inventory. Manual pallet jacks can be more convenient than electric pallet jacks because workers don't need certification to operate the equipment. According to OSHA, any power-operated equipment requires certification before use, and this includes electric pallet trucks and forklifts. If you operate a large, high-volume business, electric pallet jacks might be the better choice because they cut down on labor. For small warehouses, construction sites, and even grocery store stockrooms, a manual pallet jack is a convenient option. Parts of a Pallet Jack Before you learn how to operate a manual pallet jack, it’s useful to know the important parts so you can understand how to move pallets. Control Lever - The control lever is a small bar located on the pallet jack handle that can be moved into the up, down, or neutral position. Handle - The handle is used for steering and raising the pallet jack forks. Hydraulic Pump - The hydraulic pump is located at the base of the handlebar and provides the pumping action that raises and lowers the forks. Steer Wheels - Two large steer wheels below the handlebar maneuver the pallet jack where it needs to go. Forks or Prongs - Two long forks are designed to fit inside pallets so they can be lifted. Load Wheels - The load wheels underneath the pallet forks help them slide into place. How to Operate a Pallet Jack Maintain warehouse safety by following our step-by-step instructions to operate a manual pallet jack: 1. Learn How to Use the Control Lever Understanding how to use the control lever is the key to learning how to move a pallet. Find the lever on the handle and familiarize yourself with the three control positions: Neutral Position - When the lever isn’t activated, it’s in the neutral position. Put the lever into neutral position before you move the pallet jack. Down Position - Move the lever down to activate the hydraulic pump. You can now pump the handle towards you to raise the pallet forks. Use this position when you pick up a pallet. Up Position - Pull the lever up to lower the pallet to the ground. Use this position when you need to drop the pallet into position. 2. Move the Pallet Jack Into Position With the control lever in the neutral position, steer the pallet jack directly in front of the pallet you want to move. Make sure the prongs line up with the fork openings of the pallet. Pull the control lever up to lower the prongs all the way to the floor and guide them inside the pallet. Make sure the forks are centered and the pallet is stable before lifting. 3. Pump the Handle to Raise the Pallet With the pallet jack forks inside the pallet, engage the control lever by pressing it down. Now you can pull the handle towards you in a pumping motion to “jack” up the pallet. Once the pallet is raised off the floor, move the control lever back into neutral position and you are ready to transport the pallet. Be careful not to raise the pallet too high off the ground because this will affect the center of gravity and make the pallet unstable. 4. Transport the Pallet Push the pallet wherever you need it to go. Pushing is easier than pulling, but you may need to pull the pallet jack at times to get it into the correct position. When you are ready, pull the control lever into the up position to drop the pallet to the floor. Slip the control lever back into neutral position and pull the forks free of the pallet. Before you move the pallet jack again, put the lever into the down position and pump the handle to raise the forks slightly off the ground. This will help you avoid any obstacles. 5. Lower the Pallet and Store in a Secure Location If you are finished using the pallet jack, make sure to store it in a secure location. When not in use, keep the forks lowered to the ground. Pallet jack stoppers can be installed in your parking area to prevent the equipment from rolling or shifting. Pallet Jack Safety Just because a manual pallet loader can be operated without certification, it doesn't mean there aren't potential hazards. Always refer to the operating manual for your equipment and train employees to use the pallet jack safely. Here are some pallet jack safety tips to keep in mind: Inspect and Test the Pallet Truck Before Use - Check out the wheels, the forks, and give the hydraulic pump a test run before moving the pallet jack. If there is an issue with the equipment, it's best to know before possibly losing a loaded pallet or damaging merchandise. Move Slowly and Carefully - Injuries often occur when the operator tries to whip or turn the pallet jack too quickly. Take turns at a slow pace and keep your core stabilized. Don't Exceed Load Capacity - Every pallet truck has a load capacity rating. Make sure that you aren't exceeding the capacity by lifting pallets that are too heavy. Steer Clear of Slopes and Inclines - Pallet jacks are not meant to be used on inclines. Keep the Control Lever in Neutral Position When Moving - You can prevent the forks from accidentally shifting up or down by keeping the control lever in neutral position when you're on the move. Always Store the Pallet Truck with Forks Down - After parking your pallet mover in a safe place, always lower the forks to the ground. Raised forks are a tripping hazard. Move the Pallet Truck with Forks Up - While you're moving a pallet jack with no load, keep the forks raised off the floor an inch to avoid hitting any obstacles. Pallet jacks offer a quick, convenient method of transporting skids and pallets around your work area. Keep your employees safe by reviewing our pallet jack moving instructions and safety tips. Teach them common safety terms so they can assess threats and respond to crisis when working with the pallet jack.