Environmental and Fuel/Handling Safety Considerations
Fuels and fluids
Reach stackers use diesel and hydraulic oil. Refuelling requires: engine off, no ignition sources, bonding where required, spill kit available, and no smoking. Diesel is a moderate fire hazard; hydraulic oil under pressure is both a fire and injection hazard. Clean up spills immediately and dispose of contaminated absorbent correctly.
Emissions and environment
Diesel exhaust in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas is a health hazard - ventilate or avoid idling in enclosed spaces. Noise exposure requires hearing protection where levels demand it. Dust from container yards and tyre wear are environmental considerations.
Waste and spills
Contain and label waste; never hose spills into drains. Report significant spills per the site environmental plan.
Traps
- Refuelling with the engine running is a classic wrong answer.
- Treating a small hydraulic leak as harmless ignores both slip and injection risk.
- Ignoring exhaust in enclosed areas.
Rule of thumb
Engine off, no ignition source, spill kit ready, and never hose a spill to a drain.