Here at KS Lift Trucks, we are specialists when it comes to forklift trucks, and we understand the importance of safety in the workplace concerning these vehicles. Whether you’re a fleet owner or someone that operates forklifts on a daily basis, the safety of you and your co-workers should be at the top of your priority list. Did you know that forklifts are involved in around a quarter of all workplace accidents? According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), these accidents tend to be caused by poor supervision and lack of training, which can easily be avoided.
As you might be aware, thorough examinations are required by law to ensure the safety of your forklifts and materials handling equipment. Our Thorough Examination covers both LOLER 98 and PUWER 98, both of which are carried out by our qualified engineers within a single fixed price Thorough Examination, but what other steps can you take to improve safety on site?
Both employers and employees have a duty under the UK health and safety law to take responsibility for the health, safety, and welfare of staff and bystanders. If an accident takes place at your workplace due to a lack of safety measures, you could put yourself and your business at a huge risk and could consequently face legal action.
The most common forklift accidents include:
- Pedestrian collisions
- Forklift rolling over
- Falling load
- Forklift collision
- Mechanical failure
- Inadequate operating training
One way in which you can help to prevent collisions is by installing LED lights on your truck. The majority of forklifts have bright LED lights to improve visibility in yards and warehouses, to help you comply with the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. These regulations contain requirements for:
- The organisation of traffic routes, to keep pedestrians and other vehicles safe.
- There should be sufficient lighting for people to move safely.
Although LED lights are utilised on most trucks, there is a number of other safety devices that can be fitted to your forklift trucks. Some of the most common safety devices include:
The Red Halo Light (shown here on a Doosan forklift truck at North West Timber Treatments Ltd (NWTT), who have been operating the Doosan B20 in their yard). The red halo light projects a red light onto the ground and creates a fence or a ‘no-go zone’ to ensure other vehicles and people are in close proximity to a moving forklift. The fence lights use powerful LED red lights to project a no-go zone onto the floor of the yard, which warns pedestrians working near the forklift. The area which is highlighted gives enough space for the truck to move safely, without causing any collisions with bystanders or other equipment and materials. It creates a fantastic visual aid, that can be utilised in both daylight and night time, to improve site safety and increase awareness of moving vehicles.
The Blue Spot Lights do exactly what they say, projecting blue spots onto the ground. Due to their intensity, they can be used indoors and outdoors, no matter if it is light or dark. Some customers choose to fit blue spot lights at both the front and rear of their truck, however rear only fittings are also popular. When these lights are mounted onto the rear of the truck, they will automatically turn on when the reverse direction is initiated. The blue lights are designed to pre-warn pedestrians and other moving trucks within the space. You can see these lights fitted onto one of our Linde forklift trucks below, where red halo lights are also used.
Keypad & Finger Print Technology can also be fitted to your forklift truck. This ensures that only trained operators can start the machine and prevents access from unauthorised or untrained personnel.
Are you looking for ways to improve safety on your premises? Contact us today to enquire about the safety options that can be fitted to your current trucks.
