Industrial casters allow you to easily move heavy equipment, carts, and machinery across different surfaces. However, selecting the right caster isn’t just about improving mobility—it’s essential for ensuring workplace safety. In industries like manufacturing, warehousing, and pharmaceuticals, where heavy loads are frequently moved, the wrong caster choice can result in accidents, equipment damage, or costly downtime. Here are safety factors to consider.
- Load Capacity. Using casters with insufficient load capacity causes failures, tipping, or accidents. To prevent these risks, calculate the total load, including the weight of the equipment or cart, and divide it among the number of casters. For instance, if your cart carries 2,000 pounds and uses four casters, each caster must support at least 500 pounds. Adding a safety margin is wise, especially if loads occasionally exceed average weight.
- Wheel Material and Floor Conditions. Opt for softer wheels like rubber or polyurethane for hard surfaces like concrete to provide better traction and reduce noise. Harder wheels such as steel or phenolic perform better on soft or uneven surfaces and roll smoothly without damage. Choosing the right wheel material prevents slips and wheel jams and decreases braking efficiency, all safety hazards when handling heavy loads.
- Braking Mechanisms. The type of braking mechanism should match your operational needs. For example, total lock brakes lock the wheel and the swivel, keeping the caster completely stationary. It is ideal when stability is crucial, such as in assembly lines or medical environments. Directional lock brakes lock only the swivel, allowing the wheel to move in a straight line. This helps control heavy loads.
- Temperature and Environmental Factors. Extreme high or low temperatures can weaken industrial casters and cause failures. Additionally, environments exposed to chemicals or corrosive substances require industrial casters with protective coatings like stainless steel or zinc plating to prevent long-term degradation.
When choosing industrial casters, always prioritize safety. At Carolina Material Handling Inc., we understand the importance of safety in material handling. Our team of experts is here to help you select the best industrial casters, ensuring a safe and efficient workplace. Contact us today to explore how we can support your facility’s operations.