Prevent – Manage – Learn’
The theme of this year’s National Forklift Safety Day is ‘Prevent – Manage – Learn’. If prevention were easy, everybody would be doing it, right? Well, it can be easy, and everybody should be doing it! Ensuring a safe work environment and preventing accidents requires a constant examination of workplace practices, adherence to SOPs and a willingness of everyone to believe in the well know mantra; “Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility”.
Where Do We Start?
So, where do we start? The old adage goes that by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. This is especially true when it comes to forklift safety. An accident can happen at any time and often happens when we least expect it, so preparation is key. Identifying hazards, conducting safety training, issuing proper PPE and a detailed plan are all key steps involved in accident prevention, and while a well-trained operator will also result in a safer workplace environment for everyone, there are a number of technological solutions to common potential issues which should be take advantage of. From vehicle warning lights and obstacle detection systems designed to prevent pedestrian accidents, to suspension cabs and Auto Swivel Seats to prevent operator fatigue, there have been many advances in technology that provide a vital line of defence against workplace accidents.
A Well-Designed Tool Will Pay for Itself
It’s always better to design a tool, or in this case a forklift, for a specific purpose, rather than expect it to perform well at a given task that it was never designed to do. That’s why at Combilift, we design our forklifts from the ground up to be the safest and most efficient forklifts on the market today. Combilift’s multidirectional technology means there is no longer a need to carry long and dangerous loads overhead to try and navigate through narrow doors or tight aisles. Sideways mode allows the forklift to effortlessly navigate any warehouse, yard or site safely and securely and without sacrificing productivity – the way it should be. Combilift’s offset driver cab position also provides operators with a more unobstructed view of both the load and surrounding areas, and in sideways mode, it provides an exceptional view of any potential dangers.
What Else Can Combilift do to Manage Safety?
Combi SafeLift – Anti-Overload Device
Forklift operators who are insufficiently aware of the load they are lifting and the risks that come with exceeding the forklift rated capacity not only compromise their own safety, but also place everyone working around them at serious risk.
There are several factors that can influence a forklift truck to become overloaded and these include: load centre, weight of load, lift height and the type of load. The load centre, which is the distance from the face of fork to the centre of gravity of the load plays a crucial part. The position of the load centre can also vary depending on the type of load being lifted, for example liquid loads or non-uniform loads.
Forklift operators should be competent in understanding the weight of the load. Combilift’s new product, the Combi Safe-Lift, is an anti-overload device which enables operators to avoid the pitfalls of potential overloading, which can have serious consequences if it occurs.
How Does it Work?
The Combi Safe-Lift incorporates a strain sensor on the mast section (See Pic.) and a lift cut-out valve on the hydraulic line to disable lifting if the unit is being potentially overloaded.
There is an audible alarm which warns the operator of an overload situation and a load moment indicator is fitted to the dashboard in the cab. The operator can instantly see from the green, amber and red “traffic light” signalling when there is a risk of overloading or when the forks are not fully engaged for example, and take appropriate action.
To watch Combilift’s in-depth explainer on the Safe-Lift device, click here.
