Fork lift safety advances reviewed

This year's National Fork Lift Truck Safety Conference included reports from overseas researchers, which included findings on main causes of employee accidents.

Delegates at this year's National Fork Lift Truck Safety Conference were told of advances in Germany and the USA, which are intended to improve pedestrian safety on materials handling sites.

Among international speakers at the annual event, organised by the Fork Lift Truck Association and sponsored by STILL Materials Handling, was Dr Uwe Weiner from the German Health Safety Department in cooperation with the University of Duisburg and IWS.

Dr Weinr revealing that most accidents involving pedestrians occur while a fork lift truck is in forward motion and not, as is commonly assumed, when reversing.

Using computer modelling, Dr Weiner showed how the findings locate specific danger zones around a vehicle, and how these could redefine a site's requirements in safety alarms and systems, and truck mast visibility.

Bryan Allen of Sigma Squared Solutions discussed the innovative new Pedestrian Alert Safety System, developed in America by COPAR using hand-held transmitters to monitor pedestrian and truck proximity within a controlled operating area.

Other speakers, including Principal HSE Inspector Jim Corbridge, shared valuable advice on the practical basics of maintaining a safe site - identified by the FLTA as one of the four cornerstones of fork lift safety.

Cat, Looplifter and Jungheinrich explained how innovative safety solutions are already having an impact on UK workplaces.

Will Murray of Interactive Driving Systems underlined the need for regular operator assessment and unpacked the FLTA's new online tool, Virtual Risk Manager - FLT.

British Nuclear Group gave an insight into recent fork lift safety improvements at Sellafield, and FLTA chief executive David Ellison's presentation destroyed literally dozens of commonly accepted materials handling myths.

Ellison commented: "Today's conference has attracted delegates from all manner of companies, large and small, throughout the UK and beyond, and I am confident that every single one will have gained practical tips, ideas and approaches that can genuinely improve safety on their own site".

He added: "It is especially encouraging to have an increasing international flavour to the event - fork lift truck safety is a worldwide issue, and the more we can share research, insights and best practice, the safer our workplaces will be.".

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