Banksmen- What Role Do Banksmen Play In Construction?

As aforementioned, banksmen play an integral role in ensuring that all engineering activities that involve construction vehicles run smoothly and according to plan. By having banksmen onsite, you can ensure the construction vehicles are correctly located and directed. Some of the primary functions of banksmen include:

• Working on construction/building sites
• Directing the construction vehicles’ movement on the building site 
• Evaluating possible risks and taking measures to minimise or eliminate them 
• Providing concise signals or directions to the forklift operator/s 
• Preventing excessive traffic or cluttering that could pose health and safety risks 

Banksmen are essential for construction sites, especially if there is more than one forklift or other building equipment. Banksmen (also known as signallers) is a must for making sure building operations are structured and without unnecessary risks. 

There are several different types of forklift varieties available, all of which fulfill a different purpose in the workplace/site of construction. Each forklift variety is incredibly useful and banksmen are needed to direct whichever forklift/s variety may be used at the time.

As suggested by the name, heavy-duty forklifts are most commonly used for lifting far heavier loads that other standard forklifts may not be able to. Also known as a large-capacity forklift, this forklift variety can lift heavy goods far off the ground but isn’t capable of reaching tricky angles.

A telehandler, also known as a reach forklift, is comprised of several forklift parts. With a crane with an extendable arm, a telehandler is great for reaching high places with difficult angles. These forklifts can reach up to 19 feet, saving all workers the possibility of a health and safety compromise. This forklift variety would be the best choice for navigating tight spaces.

This forklift is the most common variety used in factory floors and warehouses, and it’s also one of the most well-known types of forklifts. This type of forklift is perfect for the transportation, loading, and offloading of many goods.

Rough terrain forklifts are made solely for outdoor operations that are likely to have uneven or rough surfaces. With larger than usual tires, this forklift offers sturdiness and stability on uneven surfaces, ensuring the forklift doesn’t lose balance. 

Since these forklifts are specifically designed for rough terrain, you’ll often find them in places like construction sites, where rocky and uneven surfaces are common.

Like the standard warehouse forklift, side loaders are also commonly used in warehouses and factory floors. These forklifts are perfect for travelling alongside racks and narrow aisles without needing to turn. If you need to unload goods in a narrow or tricky area, side loaders will likely help by a long shot. 

With all the different types of forklifts around, it’s necessary to have banksmen onsite to help the operators navigate them in the safest and most effective way possible!