The key role mobile phones play in distracting forklift operators is to take their attention away from the task at hand, whether it’s brief or prolonged. Workplace and warehouse environments, where forklifts commonly operate, are generally confined and high traffic areas. Forklifts are often in close proximity to pedestrians, expensive goods, and other machinery. To ensure the safe operation of forklifts and reduce the risk to others, operators’ full attention is required at all times.

Mobile phones can also be distracting even when they aren’t being used. Operators can lose control of their forklift when seeking to grab an unsecured item that is in danger of falling within the cab area. These items are often mobile phones; however they can also be something as trivial as a pen. The problem is that it's a reflex response and it takes at least one or both hands away from the controls.
Because it’s not against the law, allowing mobile phone use whilst operating forklifts is a decision that needs to be made by management. The first thing to do is carry out a Risk Assessment to determine when and if mobile phone use is necessary at your workplace.

Operators taking or making personal calls while at the wheel should most certainly be prohibited. Where there is a legitimate reason for using the phone for work purposes, a hands-free kit or other safer communication systems should be considered.

It is strongly advised to avoid using mobile phones when operating a forklift. Just as they are to drivers on the roads, mobile phones are a risky distraction to operators of forklifts. After carrying out a Risk Assessment, it is up to management to establish rules regarding mobile phone use at the workplace and enforce them.

Information for this article was sourced from www.forkliftbriefing.co.uk. For further forklift safety information contact MLA Holdings on 131 652 or www.mlaholdings.com.au

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Here are some guidance notes from the consultancy on best practice relating to operating forklifts in workplaces.

Context — high-risk work
High-risk work encompasses scaffolding, dogging and rigging, crane and hoist operation including boom type elevated work platforms (EWPs), reach stackers (intermodal shipping container handling), pressure equipment operation and the operation of forklifts. The focus of this article is on forklift safety.

Training and licensing
Training for high-risk work can only be carried out by an approved Registered Training Organisation (RTO). Approved by WorkCover NSW, RTOs can deliver training and arrange a licence assessment for high-risk work licences in NSW. The outcome of such training is for a forklift driver to be competent in the basic skills and standard procedures. A three-day course is usually involved in obtaining a forklift licence. (Check your states authority body for more information).

Why a licence is not enough
Being competent in a basic sense means just that — basic operations; and, as a result, if a different vehicle is driven from that used in training, issues can arise. Similarly training cannot prepare a driver for the particular idiosyncrasies of a given workplace or the special needs of a particular warehouse or loading dock.  This work environment is where the need for more training and focused workplace training is critical.

Who pays for the licence?
Some awards and agreements may specify who is responsible for paying for a licence and, in such cases, that regulation would settle the matter. It should be noted that businesses do not apply for licences on behalf of their workers — instead, a person must apply for his/her own licence.

In-house training
In the case of forklift drivers, persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) need to ensure these workers are familiar with the workplace, as well as the particular brand and type of forklift they will be operating. Forklift training should also be given due attention by the PCBU when assessing relevant workplace risks. PCBUs can further support their forklift drivers with in-house training by a ‘competent’ person’. A proper training regime would also include a timetable for review of competencies, as well as refresher training on an annual basis. In addition, accurate records should be kept so that the measures put in place can be demonstrated to an inspector.

Information for this article was sourced from http://workplaceohs.com.au.For further forklift safety information contact MLA Holdings on 131 652 or www.mlaholdings.com.au

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1)       Being hit or crushed by a forklift

2)       Being hit or crushed by a load that the forklift is moving

3)       Being crushed in a forklift tip-over

Pedestrians are most at risk of being hit by a forklift if they are:

·         walking alongside it

·         picking stock off a nearby shelf

·         walking in between it and a delivery vehicle

·         stepping into its path, or assisting with loading/unloading.

Keep ‘em separated

The best way to make sure people are not hit by a forklift is to keep them away from forklifts, by using physical barriers like guardrails or overhead walkways. Where this is not possible:

·         schedule work so that forklifts and pedestrians are not in the same area at the same time

·         clearly mark walkways and safe work zones for pedestrians

·         make pedestrian crossings, ideally with boom gates or red/green traffic lights

·         provide dedicated loading and unloading areas for delivery vehicles

·         have a designated exclusion or safety zone for delivery drivers, and wherever possible prevent them from entering the loading area to assist with the loading and unloading of their vehicle.

Use safety devices

If your forklift doesn’t have these safety features, consider retro-fitting them or hiring a forklift with these fitted:

·         “Smart” technologies like proximity devices to trigger signals, boom gates and warning signs.

·         Warning devices like reverse lights, flashing lights, beepers, quackers and focus beams.

·         Speed-limiting devices to reduce forklifts to a walking pace when operating near pedestrians

·         Operator visibility devices like side mirrors and reverse cameras

Don’t lose your load

Most serious injuries and deaths related to a falling load happen when the load isn’t stable on the pallet, or because the operator did not use an attachment when one was needed. Typically, workers are most at risk of being hit by a falling load when they are trying to help the operator stabilise it, load or unload, or generally if working within striking distance.

To ensure their load is safe:

·         use a suitable forklift for the load, with the correct load capacity

·         use and maintain the forklift in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations

·         provide and use stillage bins where appropriate

·         supply suitable attachments for the types of loads to be moved

·         provide training to staff on loading and unloading procedures and the use of attachments

Information for this article was sourced from www.safework.nsw.gov.au. For further forklift safety information contact MLA Holdings on 131 652 or www.mlaholdings.com.au.

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Keep your distance

Fully loaded, a standard forklift and its load can have a combined weight of five or more tonnes.

If you work near forklifts, you are equally at risk from being killed or seriously injured through being hit or crushed by the forklift itself, or being hit or crushed by the load the forklift is moving. You are most at risk of being hit by a forklift or its load if you are:

·         walking alongside it

·         picking stock off a nearby shelf

·         walking in between it and a delivery vehicle

·         stepping in to its path, or

·         assisting with loading/unloading

What you can do:

·         Always keep a safe distance.

·         Stay on pedestrian pathways and/or safety zones.

·         Be aware that a forklift operators field of vision is obscured by the mast and load – don’t assume they have seen you.

·         Never approach a moving forklift to speak with the operator. Wait for the forklift to stop and the operator to acknowledge your presence before approaching.

·         Establish eye contact with the forklift operator before crossing an aisle.

·         Don’t assist in loading or unloading unless you have been trained and authorised to do so.

·         Give way to moving vehicles, including forklifts.

·         Don’t use your mobile or headphones.

·         Wear high visibility clothing and other appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE).

Always follow the site safety rules, traffic management plan and safety instructions from your employer.

Information for this article was sourced from www.safework.nsw.gov.au. For further forklift safety information contact MLA Holdings on 131 652 or www.mlaholdings.com.au

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1. Use the right kit
As a general rule, electric warehouse equipment isn’t designed to be used outdoors. Before you go outside, check that your truck is OK for yard use.

2.Tidy defence.
A messy yard is a dangerous yard. Simple items like loose planks of wood can tip a forklift truck over – crushing or maiming the driver.

3. Pitch inspection.
Make sure the yard surface itself is well maintained. Potholes are another common cause of tipping accidents.

4. Solid at the back.
Before you take a forklift truck into the back of a lorry, check it’s secure and stable – will it take the combined weight of your truck and load?

5. A mountain to climb?
Gradients of any kind can be dangerous to forklift trucks – avoid them. If you can’t, go straight up or down, not sideways.

6. Watch your pace!
Crossing open spaces makes it tempting to overdo the throttle – don’t do it, and don’t let your colleagues do it either if you value your safety.

7. Taking corners.

Steer gently! Even at low speeds, a sharp turn can tip your forklift over.

8. Zonal marking.
Try to keep forklift trucks, lorries and pedestrians separated with traffic circuits and warning signs.

9.Flashy play?
Flashing lights and warning bleepers can be a good idea – but bear in mind they can also be a distraction.

10.Great vision.
It’s important you can see clearly where you’re going – so if you can’t see forward, travel in reverse or get a team-mate to act as observer.

11.Lethal in the box.
If you’re using a diesel or gas powered forklift truck in a confined space like a container, don’t let dangerous fumes build up.

12. Sub: Don’t score an own goal!
Make sure all your forklift trucks and equipment are properly maintained.         

MLA Holdings can provide further safety for your forklift operators this summer, with Mitsubishi’s optional installations of heavy duty dash fans. Many Mitsubishi forklifts can also be supplied with fully enclosed air-conditioned cabins.

Information from this article was sourced from www.forkliftbriefing.co.uk. For further forklift safety information contact MLA Holdings on 131 652 or www.mlaholdings.com.au.  

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