Selecting the Right Forklift for the Environment
Operating a forklift in an environment where chemicals or other substances are present can be hazardous. It's important to use forklifts that are specifically designed for operations under these hazardous environments.
To select the appropriate forklift, you must know the Class and Division designations for the forklift as follows:
- Class: The substance/chemical present at the location in which the forklift will be operated
- Division: Describes how likely it is that the hazardous condition would be present at the location
Below are the various classes of locations in which a forklift may be used:
- A Class I location contains flammable gases or vapors
- A Class II location contains combustible dust
- A Class III location contains easily ignited fibers
- An Unclassified location is a general storage, commercial or industrial location without the hazard conditions described above
Below are the two divisions used to define how likely a hazard is present:
- A Division I location has a high potential for the hazard to be present.
- A Division II location has a lower potential for the hazard to develop.
For example, in a Class II Division I area there will be a high potential for the presence of combustible dust.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-6. Which forklift location will have a higher potential for the presence of flammable gases or vapors?
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