I f a forklift driver who retired 20 years ago came back to work in a warehouse or DC today, he or she would be surprised by how much lift trucks have changed. Just
as in the auto industry, vehicle design, fuel efficiency, and
on-board technology have all improved dramatically in just
the last few years.
One area that has seen some of the biggest improvements
is safety. Manufacturers of forklifts and accessories have
devoted a great deal of effort to developing innovative
products that help operators use lift trucks more safely.
And whether safety features are integral to the lift truck’s
design or after-sale add-ons, the objective is the same: fewer
accidents and a safer workplace for operators and pedestrians alike.
As part of our special coverage for National Forklift Safety
Day 2016, we asked forklift manufacturers to identify some
of the most important safety improvements of the past few
years. Here, in no particular order, are their top picks:
Caterpillar Forklift America Inc. (MCFA), which says it was
the first lift truck manufacturer to introduce them to the
North American market, these systems stop certain hydraulic and transmission functions when the operator does not
fasten the seat belt during operation or leaves the normal
operating position without activating the parking brake.
One example is UniCarriers Americas’ version, which
halts the truck by shifting it into neutral and locks out
hydraulic functions if the operator is
not seated, explains product manager
Tony Kordes. The lift and tilt lock will
also stop mast operation when the driv-
er leaves the seat, he says. The basic functionality of other
manufacturers’ systems is similar; all include a warning
lamp and/or an audible signal to alert drivers to their errors.
Operator presence systems typically rely on a sensor
inside the seat to signal a controller to prevent the truck
from moving and/or handling loads without a driver in
place. Another approach that’s designed for standup trucks
involves two light sensors that span the entry to the opera-
tor compartment. If a sensor is blocked, indicating that the
driver is not correctly positioned or that an object is in the
compartment, the truck will not travel, says Justin Byma,
product manager for very-narrow-aisle products at The
Raymond Corp.
x Improved visibility. When an operator can’t clearly see
what’s in front of, behind, above, and adjacent to a lift
truck, accidents are bound to happen. Many manufacturers
have therefore given trucks of all types sleeker profiles and
thinner frames with wider openings around the cabin to
improve sight lines in all directions.
Some of the biggest visibility gains in the past few years
have come from mast designs that make it easier to see
through and around them yet maintain strength and stability. This has been a high priority for many OEMs. Just
one example is Crown Equipment Corp.’s MonoLift mast
for two of its reach truck series. The mast offers better
What makes today’s forklifts safer to operate than ever before? Experts
name some of the most important improvements of the past few years
and explain why forklifts of the future are likely to be even safer.
BY TOBY GOOLEY
Forklift safety …
past, present,
and future
