·         Resilient Tyre - Resemble their pneumatic counterpart but are completely manufactured from rubber, no air. Also known as “Puncture Proof” there are differing designs, quality and materials available.

·         Press-On Cushion Tyre - Rubber directly vulcanised to a steel band that is subsequently “pressed-on” to a special wheel.

Methods of identifying tyre wear out

·         Pneumatic tyres wear out points can be identified in two ways:

§  Top of the 60J line

§  The tread depth indicator

o    Pneumatic tyres must have a minimum of 1mm of tread over the centre 75% of tread around its complete circumference.

·         Resilient tyres may be used until they are worn to the wear indicator, also known as the 60J line

·         Press-On Cushion Tyres may be used until 2/3rds of the original thickness remains or the wear limit is “top of the lettering”.

Smooth (Slick) Industrial Tyres

In several applications (Ports & Docks, Waste Transfer, Glass Recycling, Steel Yards etc.) the presence of a tread pattern results in significant tread cutting or damage. At these sites the use of smooth (slick) tyres has led to substantially improved wear rates (lower costs) without any detriment to safety.

Smooth tyres (on paved surfaces) actually have higher levels of grip, even when water is present (up to 15km/hr). The higher grip is a result of the greater contact surface area (tyre to road).

 It is incorrect to assume that tyres with no tread are dangerous or provide less traction, on paved (concrete or asphalt) surfaces.Where loose material is present a treaded pattern tyre will result in better grip than a smooth tyre, due to the tread actually engaging the ground surface.

The time to replace forklift tyres varies between types and operating conditions. One of the biggest risks is that tyres are taken for granted, not being inspected as often or thoroughly as needed for safe operation. The checking of all tyres is an important element of a forklift daily or pre-shift check. Tyre condition is also monitored as part of routine preventive maintenance. Action should be taken to replace damaged or worn tyres without delay.            

Information from this article was sourced from Bearcat Tyres Pty. Ltd. Call MLA now for an obligation free safety tyre inspection.

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How harm arises from sedentary work

The harm associated with prolonged occupational sitting is likely due to insufficient dynamic muscle activity, insufficient energy expenditure, insufficient movement, lack of postural variety, and diminished gravitational resistance.

What is considered excessive work related exposure?

Occupational sitting is common among workers, with one half of workers reporting sitting often or all of the time at work. Exposure to occupational sitting occurs across different industries and occupations.

There is no clear definition of excessive occupational sitting exposure. However, sitting for longer than 30 minutes without a mini-break, and sitting all day at work (being “too busy” to take a break) are likely to be detrimental to health. To date, assessment of occupational exposure has largely been focussed on office work environments, with limited evidence for exposure or interventions in non-office environments.

Ways to reduce prolonged sitting at work

A range of initiatives has been proposed to reduce prolonged sitting at work, including simple interventions that interrupt prolonged occupational sitting by substituting sitting with non-sedentary tasks, such as:

·         Switching to work on a computer at a standing workstation

·         Standing to read a document

·         Having a standing or walking meeting

·         Standing while talking on the phone

·         Walking to deliver a message to a colleague rather than emailing

In essence, employers and workers should aim for small and frequent changes from sitting as much as possible and less time sitting in total.

Information from this article was sourced from Safe work Australia - Sedentary Work - Evidence on an Emergent Work Health and Safety Issue.

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Statistics suggest that as many as two thirds of forklift accidents kill or injure someone who was not driving the truck at the time – meaning that anyone visiting or working at a business which uses a forklift truck could be at risk of injury... or worse.

Falling loads are a leading cause of fatalities involving forklift trucks – accounting for more than 40% of deaths – according to a 20-year accident study.

Every accident is a personal and commercial tragedy, which is why the subject of visibility is extremely high on the industry’s agenda.

Visionary Thinking

Traditionally, operators have been protected from falling objects by metal bars in the roof of the overhead guard. Although these structures form an effective barrier to larger objects, they do very little to stop smaller items. What’s more, they can present a significant obstacle to operator visibility.

The popular Mitsubishi family of reach trucks benefits from the revolutionary Visionmast, which allows operators to handle goods with precision and effortless ease. ‘Hot extrusion’ technology has allowed a unique construction in which the hydraulic cylinders are enclosed within the profile of the mast’s first stage. This adds extra stiffness to the mast, as well as providing a clearer view.

Features of a high visibility forklift

•  Hi-vis overhead guard roof for unobstructed upward views
• High visibility masts for clear forward vision
• Rear handle with horn button

Choosing a truck with good visibility can enhance your site’s safety and productivity.

When you choose a truck that maximises your operator’s visibility, you maximise his or her ability to manoeuvre safely and precisely, with confidence. In turn, every aspect of your operations will benefit from greater safety, foremost your employees, but also reduced product damage and enhanced productivity.

Information from this article was sourced from www.forkliftbriefing.com

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Battery electric forklifts use two types of batteries: nickel-iron and lead acid. Each of these batteries can pose serious health and safety hazards. These hazards occur due to three leading factors, the highly volatile gases emitted during charging, the sheer weight of the batteries and the corrosive chemicals that exist within the battery itself.

To minimise theses hazards and any risks of danger Safe Work Australia suggests that people involved in a battery charging or changing operation should consider the following safety precautions:

• Only people who have received proper training should be allowed to charge and change batteries on industrial lift trucks
• Forklifts should be in a stationary position and the parking brake applied before attempting to change the battery.
• Ensure there is a designated area for battery charging and changing
• The designated installation area should be a smoke free zone, with clear signs indicating this
• Do not use mobile phones or other electronic devices.
• Remove all metallic jewellery before recharging and do not use metal objects that might strike a spark near battery cells.
• Ensure that battery charging/changing stations are equipped with the necessary safety equipment
  
• Wear eye protection and other Personal Protective Equipment as required.
  
• It is important there are washing facilities including eye washing and cleaning-up facilities for removing acid spills. If acid is spilt a ‘spill kit’ should be on hand to remove the hazard.
  
• Charging and Changing areas should be ventilated so gases generated during battery charging are dispersed to prevent an explosive mixture developing
  

Additionally, it is essential that workplaces have safety procedures in place to ensure that they are able to deal with unexpected dangerous situations that may arise. If forklift batteries are not dealt with in a safe and appropriate manner they can become extremely hazardous. That is why, it is extremely important that the changing and charging of batteries are completed in accordance to the manufacturer’s instructions.

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


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When an operator jumps or is thrown from an overturning forklift, more often than not they end up trapped under the overturned forklift and a fatality occurs.

There are several instances where a forklift can tip over; these include rolling or overturning the forklift sideways or by pitching forward when the back wheels lift off the ground.

According to a guide on forklift safety from Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, forklifts can tip over if you:

• collide with another vehicle

• brake too quickly, especially with a loaded forklift

• brake or accelerate while cornering

• accelerate quickly in reverse

• carry a load facing down a slope

• brake or accelerate down a slope

• carry an unevenly balanced load

• drive with the tines raised too high (loaded or unloaded)

• strike low doors or overhead structures

• drive across inclines or uneven ground such as potholes (particularly with a height difference greater than 20mm across the front wheels)

• turn too fast

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

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What is a forklift’s rated load capacity?

Australian Standard AS2359.1:2015 clause 2.2 states ‘The rated capacity is the maximum capacity established by the manufacturer based on component strength and truck stability’. A forklift’s rated load capacity is the maximum weight in kilograms that a forklift can safely lift and transport at a specified load centre distance in millimetres. This rated load capacity is listed on the forklifts name plate or load capacity data plate.

What is a load capacity data plate?

A forklift’s load capacity data plate is a notice plate on the forklift visible to the operator from the operating position that displays the rated load capacity taking into account the lift height, mast tilt angles, tyre specifications, forklift attachments and load centre distances. Other safety information and relevant data is also listed on the load capacity data plate.

Consider the following tips to increase your forklift safety:  

1.       Identify which forklift best suits your workplace’s needs, keeping in mind load capacity and safety features

2.       Provide forklift operators with the adequate training and knowledge to interpret the load capacity plates

3.       Purchase or hire forklifts with slightly larger load capacities then what is actually needed

4.       Be aware of operating conditions and your forklift load capacity and ensure that it is never exceeded

5.       Ensure that load capacity data plate is correct and readable

6.       Evaluate the safe load capacity with oversized loads

7.       Use a scale to check the weight of an object or check the marked weight of an object

8.       If the stated load centre distance is exceeded then counteract this by reducing the weight of the load accordingly.

MLA is able to assess material handling applications and provide advice regarding the safest and most efficient forklifts and attachments. Information for this article was sourced from Australian Standard 2359.1:2015

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