Report on 2007

Delegates at this year's National Fork Lift Truck Safety Conference gained an early insight into exciting new advances in Germany and the USA, aimed at improving pedestrian safety on materials handling sites.  

 
Accidents involving fork lift trucks and pedestrians are acknowledged as a major cause of workplace deaths worldwide, making the area the focus of considerable research and development, and an key element of the Conference's Safe Site theme.

International speakers joined a packed roster at the annual event, organised by the Fork Lift Truck Association and sponsored by STILL Materials Handling.

Dr Uwe Weiner presented surprising new research by the German Health Safety Department in cooperation with the University of Duisburg and IWS GmbH, revealing that most accidents involving pedestrians occur while a fork lift truck is in forward motion - not, as is commonly assumed, when reversing.

Using computer modelling, Dr Weiner went on to show 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.

Later, 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 - while Cat, Looplifter and Jungheinrich explained innovative Safety Solutions that 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.

A hotly-anticipated final session delivered in style, as British Nuclear Group enthralling insight into recent fork lift safety improvements at Sellafield, and FLTA Chief Executive David Ellison's quick-fire presentation burst literally dozens of commonly accepted materials handling myths.

Mr 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.

"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."