Battery Handling Systems, Inc. Appoints Matt Bierman to New Position of Dealer Development Manager May 20, 2015 – St. Louis, MO – Battery Handling Systems, Inc., a leading manufacturer of material handling and battery changing equipment, announced that Matt Bierman will assume the role of the Dealer Developer Manager position immediately. As the Dealer Development Manager, Mr. Bierman will oversee relationships with all BHS dealers, traveling throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. He will also provide dealers with instruction on the BHS web store, provide on-site and web-based training for sales staff, and oversee the monthly Sales Academy dealer training program at BHS’ St. Louis headquarters. “We want every dealer to think of BHS as a partner,” said Mr…. Continue Reading
Monthly Archives: May 2015
OSHA Standards in the Battery Room — Part One: Introduction to OSHA Regulations

Are you using lift trucks safely? Warehousing operations in the United States are legally bound to protect workers from unsafe conditions, as defined by The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). While OSHA standards dictate workplace safety practices in all aspects of the warehousing industry, few areas are more impacted by these safety regulations than the battery room. Oversights in… Continue Reading
Material Handling Solutions for Wire, Cable, Rope, Hose, and Tubing
Cable, wire, and other spooled materials present a unique set of storage and handling challenges. They do not fit neatly onto pallets and are typically shipped on bulky wooden or plastic spools, which can take up a large amount of space. Fortunately, simple procedures and specialized equipment can streamline storage and distribution of these products, ensuring efficient delivery of precise… Continue Reading
TT-934: Cable Routing and Charger Mounting
Models Affected: Charger Accessories Proper cable routing and charger mounting should not be overlooked in setting up a battery room or charging area. Failure to properly route cables and mount chargers could result in inefficient operation, damage, and possibly unsafe conditions. Description: Charger cables not properly routed or suspended are susceptible to damage from forklifts traveling near the charging area. Cables left hanging or lying in roller compartments of the battery stands can be cut or pinched by the battery as it is moved in and out of the stand. Cables lying on the floor may also become a trip hazard for battery room personnel. Damaged cables or connectors may arc creating a fire or explosion hazard as well as… Continue Reading
TT-935: Battery Lifting Beam Inspection and Care
Models Affected: All Battery Lift Beams In order to ensure continued safe operation, Battery Lifting Beams (BLB) should be inspected regularly for excessive wear and/or damage. Inspections should be performed at the beginning of each shift and/or before first use. Use of a lifting device that is worn or damaged can lead to loss of load and possible personal injury or death. Description: Each BHS lifting beam includes an inspection decal on the unit explaining the items which should be inspected daily. Those items are as follows: Inspect the wood laminate load members for any cracks, splits, indentations or de-lamination. Inspect all attaching hardware for tightness and wear. Inspect hook adjusting trunnions for wear or damage. Inspect load pins on… Continue Reading
TT-932: Hoist Chain Maintenance
Models Affected: All Portable Gantry Cranes Chain inspection and lubrication are the most important aspects of hoist maintenance. Routine maintenance of the hoist chain is essential in prolonging the service life of the hoist chain as well as other related components. Description: Chain hoists are often the most overlooked and under maintained equipment in facilities. With regular maintenance, consisting mostly of cleaning and lubrication, chain hoists can be durable, long lasting pieces of equipment. Recommendation: Regular maintenance should be performed per the hoist manufacturer’s recommended service intervals found in the hoist manual. BHS offers a Hoist Chain Cleaning and Lubrication Kit (P/N 80722001) which contains a cleaner and lubricant ideal for chain maintenance. Visit the BHS1.com Library for more information… Continue Reading
TT-940: Labels and Label Kits
Models Affected: All Warning labels and placards are important parts of any machine and should not be overlooked during regular maintenance. Warning labels and placards should be legible at all times and worn or damaged labels should be replaced as soon as possible. In some instances, missing or illegible labels could result in equipment being shut down until the labels are replaced. Description: BHS uses various types of labels and placards to convey potential hazards as well as important equipment specifications, such as capacity. Reference previous Tech Tip TT-926, “Warning Labels and Placards” for more information regarding the use and meaning of the labels and placards used by BHS. Recommendation: Any worn, damaged, missing or illegible labels should be replaced… Continue Reading
TT-942: Proper Lubrication Procedures
Models Affected: All BHS recommends regular inspection and maintenance of all battery handling equipment. Lubrication is an integral step in this process and involves much more than simply applying lubricant. Following the tips below will ensure proper lubrication, and ultimately, a longer life span of your battery handling equipment and its parts. Recommendation: To prevent unnecessary wear on components, it is important to clean old grease from equipment prior to lubrication. Dust and debris can become embedded in exposed grease and oil, making the lubricant gritty, which can cause wear instead of preventing it. It is important that exposed grease and oil be removed from components before new lubricant is applied. For lubrication of BHS equipment, a #2 lithium based… Continue Reading
TT-944: Safety Enhancements
Models Affected: All To continually promote warehouse safety, BHS now provides Structural Barrier Rail (SBR) and High Visibility Flags on track End Stops. When properly placed, the BHS SBR serves to protect personnel in walkways, racking, modular offices, and more from moving equipment. High Visibility Flags, mounted to track End Stops, assist equipment operators with safe maneuvering within the battery room. Description: The BHS SBR is available in 18” high single rail and 42” high double rail configurations which can be mixed and matched to meet any application requirements. The rails lift out for easy removal when access is required and are available in 4’, 5’, 6’, 7’, and 8’ spans from post centers. Effective April 2013, all BHS track… Continue Reading
TT-926: Warning Labels & Placards
Models Affected: All Importance of Warning Labels & Placards Description: Warning labels and placards are important parts of the machine and should not be overlooked during regular maintenance. All operators and service personnel should be familiar with all labels and their meaning. Warning labels and placards should be legible at all times, and worn or damaged labels should be replaced as soon as possible. BHS uses various types of labels and placards to convey potential hazards and operational information on our battery handling equipment. Graphical Labels are graphic symbols within a safety sign. The shape and color of the graphical label is determined by the purpose for which it is used. A white graphical symbol inside a blue circle indicates… Continue Reading