Man and machine
August 1st 2005

Technological advances have made materials handling equipment safer, more energy efficient more comfortable to operate. But do these advances give operators a false sense of security? Linde product sales and training manager, David Bowen, explains the issues Modern mobile material handling equipment whether engine or electric counterbalance, or warehouse trucks, incorporate many advanced features in terms of performance, economy and ergonomics to meet the demands of commerce and industry in an intensely competitive environment.

Operating an efficient supply chain is an essential element in the overall success of most businesses and mobile equipment plays a major role. Technological advances have made materials handling equipment faster, safer, more energy efficient, quieter, cleaner and more comfortable to operate.

Designers today such as those in the Linde factories pay great attention to the ergonomic aspects of the trucks as well as the operational features. This ensures a simple and intuitive interface between the operator and the machine, with minimal physical demands so that the operator remains comfortable, efficient and alert throughout the working shift. This has two benefits, since a comfortable and efficient operator is more productive and an alert operator is more aware of the surrounding environment, resulting in safer operation.

When considering the benefits of modern handling equipment, a good analogy is the development of the modern car, which has an array of ergonomic and safety features. In spite of this accidents still continue to happen because ultimately, however good the equipment or vehicle might be, good performance and safety depends on the human factor.

The question is: do some design innovations and technological advances lull the operator into a false sense of security and does modern equipment require a different type of operator training? Especially when we consider that the road vehicle driving test is more demanding now than it was in earlier years.

Certainly modern handling equipment is more stable and moves and lifts loads faster to meet the high productivity demands of intensive working environments. This in turn places greater responsibility on the operator who has to achieve these objectives safely.

The basic skills required to operate material handling equipment today are largely unchanged. Power steering, fingertip hydraulic controls and ergonomic seating are just some of the features that have made the task much easier with very little physical effort required.Smoother and quieter equipment has also eliminated the stress factor when working through an eight-hour shift.

Safety compliance Handling equipment sold into Europe has to comply with a raft of national and European legislation and directives related to safety and this is reflected in the design and function of the products, so it can be said that modern handling equipment which complies with this legislation is inherently safe. Naturally, the equipment must also be carefully specified to undertake the tasks expected of it in terms of capacity, manoeuvrability, lift height and so on. The working environment should be designed for the safe operation of mobile equipment with adequate precautions taken to protect pedestrians and other operator’s on site.

One of the key ingredients for safe operation therefore remains as it has always been. Namely, careful selection and recruitment so that only personnel with the right aptitude and attitude are chosen to operate the equipment and, of course, professional training on the type of equipment to be used.

Legislation requires that ‘every employer shall ensure that all persons who use work equipment have received adequate training for the purposes of health and safety, including training in the methods which may be adopted when using the work equipment, any risks which such use may entail and precautions be taken’. A similar ‘adequate training’ clause also applies to those employees who supervise or manage the use of work equipment.

An excellent HSE publication entitled Rider-operated lift trucks: Operator training contains the Approved Code Of Practice and Guidance (ACOP) regarding the requirements of regulation 9 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations as they relate to the basic training of operators of rider-operated lift trucks.

So how does one define ‘adequate’ training and how can an employer assess the competence and training standards provided by the large number of training providers in the marketplace. While it is not mandatory, the training provider should ideally be registered with an accrediting body that has been approved by the Health and Safety Commission as this ensures that the accredited training provider has achieved and also maintains, the highest professional training standards for all its instructors.

The HSC approved accreditation bodies maintain professional standards through a system of registration and regular examination of instructors as well as monitoring operator-training courses.

To summarise, modern materials handling equipment is inherently safe in design and function and provides higher levels of productivity and comfort. Operating costs are lower and because the operator’s enjoy a better working environment they are motivated and more efficient.

However, to realise these benefits, good training, good working practices and good supervision are essential.

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