Safeguard your future
April 1st 2007

Using IMHX to deliver its key messages to the market, the Forklift Truck Association outlines recent safety developments, industry award winners, the contract hire market and what the future holds in terms of skilled employees

As anyone who studies the materials handling press will know, tragic accidents are often the result of failure to follow very basic safety procedures. Literally hundreds of serious fork lift accidents every year could be avoided with a little more attention to just a few, simple principles.

That's why the Fork Lift Truck Association used this year's IMHX exhibition to address such complacency, by launching a new campaign entitled "Safety 4MOST".

Designed to support the forthcoming HSE Route Map for the Safe Operation of Workplace Transport, Safety 4MOST takes as its theme four major elements of fork lift safety: Management, Operator, Site and Truck.

"It's not rocket science," says FLTA Chief Executive David Ellison. "This is a FREE pack, containing simple reminders that can save lives and limbs… as well as some useful discounts to help get operators started in taking safety basics seriously. It costs nothing, and we believe it will save lives in the workplace." The advice was presented to exhibition visitors in a free Safety 4MOST pack, containing four double-sided A4 posters.

Each has a cartoon to illustrate a key point on one side, with a summary of the related safety principles on the reverse.

As an additional bonus, the pack includes four vouchers giving: 20 per cent discount on membership of the FLTA Safe User Group; 10 per cent discount on training booked through selected providers; a special entry form to make a nomination for an FLTA Safe Site Award; and 20 per cent discount on FLTA Daily Checks booklets.

The FLTA has a number of Safety 4MOST packs, still available, completely free of charge. Visit www.fork-truck.org.uk to find out more.

Belt up One obvious area where operators and managers alike consistently fail to take basic safety measures seriously is seat belts… A recent survey by the FLTA has revealed that a shocking 90% of operators still don't use them! Seat restraints are a vitally important safety measure… they come into their own when there is a major incident, with a truck turning on its side or falling off a lorry or loading bay. Thankfully such incidents are rare, but when they do occur, and the operator is not wearing a belt, the result is a bloody mess: roll-overs are not called 'mouse-trapping' without good reason.

Then there are the many other, less bloody incidents that 'only' result in a bump to the head, a broken rib or a dislocated shoulder – painful injuries, and the resulting time off work, loss of productivity and increased pressure on work colleagues should persuade people that seat belts are to be taken seriously.

The FLTA recognises that there are occasional tasks where it may be impractical to operate a truck whilst wearing a seat belt; and this is no problem if an adequate risk assessment has been carried out, and procedures put in place to minimise the hazards. However, these tasks cannot account for anything like 90 per cent of fork lift truck operations. Most of the time seat belts are not being worn because operators are lazy and management is turning a blind eye… a terrible risk to the driver, and to the business, for just a few seconds' benefit.

Get examined – see a specialist The FLTA also used its IMHX stand to help draw attention to another important safety initiative: the Consolidated Fork Truck Services (CFTS) accreditation scheme for Thorough Examination.

Incredibly, there are many operators who still don't know that Thorough Examination is a legally obligatory health and safety procedure that must be administered to every working fork lift from the age of twelve months. It should be repeated every three, six or twelve months thereafter, depending on the nature of the truck, its attachments and its tasks.

In particular, the CFTS consultant at the exhibition was quick to point out the problem of quick, possibly sub-standard "inspections" being offered to truck users.

Indeed, one well known provider is offering two levels of inspection, only one of which could possibly comply fully with Thorough Examination requirements. Customer beware! CFTS Thorough Examination Specialist, Chas Day, explains: "There is a great deal of confusion about what constitutes a genuine, and legal Thorough Examination… and this has serious safety implications for UK workplaces." "It is simply impossible to conduct a full Thorough Examination in 20 or 30 minutes. Companies need to be very careful not to expose themselves to legal implications, or – worse still – risk their employees' safety."

"Truck users who are in any doubt whatsoever should find a CFTS accredited company – look out for the official kite mark. This is a seal of approval on a firm's management and inspection methods, and offers peace of mind that your Thorough Examination is indeed the real thing." For more information visit www.thoroughexamination.org Awards 007: Shaken and stirred In February, the Fork Lift Truck Association capped another great year for the industry, by paying tribute to the companies and individuals who break new ground and set new, higher standards, as it presented its latest Annual Awards for Excellence.

The Association had promised thrills and spills, in line with the Awards' 007 theme, and the ceremony didn't disappoint – with explosions, stunts… and FLTA Chairman Paul Nichol, with help from Vice-Chairman John Chappell, repelling a spectacular attack by a back-flipping squad of ninja intruders.

Ten more winners added their names to an exclusive roll of honour, as recipients of materials handling's most sought-after awards, while a further 25 finalists were rightly applauded for their achievements by VIPs from throughout the industry.

The major product prizes went to Doosan Infracore (Safety), Linde Material Handling (Environment), Hubtex (Ergonomics) and Crown (Innovation); while former CMP sales guru Chris Hawley collected the FLTA's coveted Lifetime Achievement Award.

Meanwhile, Peter Davies of STILL Materials Handling was named Apprentice of the Year, and Freda Glanville of United Forktrucks (1992) was presented with the Employee of the Year Award. Briggs Equipment's Trevor Clifton was presented the Award for Services to the Fork Lift Truck Industry, Jungheinrich collected the Design Achievement Award, and TVH UK was voted Supplier of the Year.

"These Awards play a crucial role in recognising the best in materials handling, and every finalist has achieved that status.

Although only a few can take home a trophy tonight, these Awards keep it all moving forward," says Paul Nichol.

"The FLTA would like to thank the event's many Sponsors and Supporters, as well as all of those who nominated a product, or cast a vote, to ensure these Awards remain our industry's most prestigious and exclusive seal of approval." The future's bright? Every year, more highly skilled service engineers retire from the fork lift industry than are recruited and trained. The resulting – and worsening – shortage has serious implications for everyone who relies on having safe, reliable and productive fork lift trucks.

Thankfully, the FLTA's new, National Apprentice programme, managed by the City of Bristol College, is now going strong.

The programme got off to a flying start last autumn, attracting applications from hundreds of potential apprentices, many of very high calibre. There is no reason to believe that there will not be a similar level of interest this year, and the FLTA is already seeking companies who are keen to benefit from the next batch of high quality trainees.

"The time to start thinking about your future engineer requirements is now," says FLTA Chairman Paul Nichol. "Don't rely on others to train your future employees – get involved in the training process, and you can benefit from skilled, enthusiastic and loyal staff, while helping to safeguard our industry's future." For further information, call the FLTA for an Apprenticeship Brochure, or visit the scheme's dedicated website www.forktruckapprentice.org.uk.

The City of Bristol College's Workplace Learning Manager is also available to answer questions, on 0117 312 5000.

Higher hire? There is an increasing sense among some parts of the fork lift truck industry that some 'standard' contract hire and leasing arrangements might prove unsustainable.

In particular, the levels of truck usage deemed 'normal' have been highlighted as an area of concern. The common assumption of a 40 hours per week single shift – equating to 2000 operating hours per year – actually represents intensive usage, putting significant strain on truck components and suppliers alike.

"A similar level of usage in a contract rental car, even at an average speed of just 30mph, would give an annual mileage of over 60,000 miles per year; well in excess of the 10,000 to 20,000 miles car rental companies deem normal," explains Nichol.

"By comparison, it does not seem unreasonable to consider 40 hours per week as extended hours for a fork lift truck; or perhaps a double shift." "It is important for the user as well as the dealer to get the contract right. If a dealer can't make a profit he will go out of business, with all the disruption that that may cause. Worse still he may be tempted to cut corners in order to try and make ends meet. Users need to be alert to potential dangers and not always look for the cheapest deal."

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