FORKLIFT MANUFACTURERS continually seek ways
to make their equipment as safe as possible, building
safety enhancements into their designs and helping cus-
tomers train operators in safe practices. But there are a
number of other ways fleet owners can enhance safety,
for both operators and pedestrians in areas where fork-
lifts travel. Here are just a few examples of the many
add-on products that are available today.
SPOTLIGHT ON FORKLIFT
SAFETY PRODUCTS
These add-ons can help enhance safety wherever forklifts are in use.
NATIONAL FORKLIFT
SAFETY DAY
SPECIAL SECTION
DETACHABLE LED SPOTLIGHT
Keytroller, a designer, manufacturer, and supplier of electronic safety and
weighing devices, has unveiled the Forewarner, an LED spotlight that aims
to curb forklift-related pedestrian injuries and fatalities. When mounted on
a forklift or other moving vehicle, the Forewarner projects a tightly focused
blue or red spot on the floor, behind or in front of the vehicle (or both). This
light spot is clearly visible to pedestrians and drivers of other vehicles in the
area, alerting them to the nearby presence of the forklift.
This warning spotlight on the floor is particularly effective on forklifts
exiting an aisle or a trailer. With the spot projected in front of or behind the forklift (or both), other vehicles or
pedestrians in the intersecting aisle are warned of the close proximity of the forklift nearing the exit of the aisle.
In addition, Keytroller has released a clip-on lens cover that transforms the spot to a line on the floor below. Many
crane operators prefer the line for additional load control. (Keytroller, www.keytroller.com)
FORKLIFT CAMERA SYSTEMS
Holland Vision Systems Inc. (HVS) has designed its
System 3 LCD and RF2008MOB Wireless Transmitter
forklift camera systems to make lift truck operations
safer, whether it be handling heavy rolls, pulling or picking merchandise from high shelves, or handling loads in
narrow aisles.
The System 3 LCD camera features a 6.8-inch full-col-or LCD monitor, which provides a sharp natural image.
It is housed in a metal case for durability. The monitor
is thin and unobtrusive, and has an adjustable ball-and-socket mount. The RF2008MOB wireless transmitter
system allows the camera to be positioned where it
has the best view, while avoiding the cost, installation
effort, and maintenance required for additional cables
run through the mast.
When handling heavy rolls, operators need to guide
the ends of the spindle to recesses in a rack. If the
spindle misses the rack recess, the heavy roll will fall,
potentially causing damage or injury. The forklift camera
system allows the operator to verify that the spindle is
aligned properly and will rest securely in the rack before
releasing it.
In high shelving, the camera system lets operators
see exactly where the forks are aiming and to see the
pallet and the racking underneath a load. And in narrow
aisles, where the operator is looking nearly straight up
along the edge of the shelving, operators can use the
overhead-guard-mounted video screen to guide the
forks accurately into the pallet, resulting in decreased
product damage. (Holland Vision Systems Inc., www.
hollandvisionsystems.com)
