DC Velocity - May 2016

IF 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 improve-
ments of the past few years. Here, in no particular
order, are their top picks:
b Operator presence systems. “Operator presence
systems” prevent forklifts from traveling without a
driver seated properly at the controls. According to
Mitsubishi 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 func-
tions 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 driver leaves the
seat, he says. The basic functionality of other manu-
facturers’ 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
FORKLIFT SAFETY … PAST,
PRESENT, AND FUTURE

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.