4 A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO DC VELOCITYspecific capacity range. Generally, each of thosemodels has one or more major applications whereit’s commonly used. For example, lumberyardsprimarily use 8,000-pound pneumatic trucks, butfood handlers use almost all electrics.
When designing a forklift, you have to lookat how operators will actually be using it. Ifoperators were to always use a forklift in aspecific, prescribed manner, then it’s prettystraightforward. But we know this isn’t alwaysthe case. As manufacturers, we strive to takeinto consideration different ways that the forkliftcould get used, including possible improper use.Designing safety into our trucks is what we all tryto achieve.
Q: HOW WILL YOUR PROFESSIONAL
BACKGROUND HELP YOU CONTRIBUTE TO ITA’S
EFFORTS TO PROMOTE FORKLIFT SAFETY?
A: I spent 12 years in the aerospace and defense
industry, where my specialty was the reliability,
serviceability, and safety of products and systems
for Air Force fighters and bombers, and sonar
for submarines and surface warfare. Safety was
always the highest priority in that world. At
Clark, safety has always been the highest priority
as well. That, together with my background,
means I fit right in. Also, in my role at Clark, I
see forklift-safety initiatives in other countries.
For example, Australian guidelines require speed
limiting on forklifts, and in Europe, manufacturers
are doing a lot of novel things, especially in forklift
automation. I’m not unique in having this kind of
international view, though. That’s true for many
people in this industry.
Through working with my colleagues from theother ITA companies, I have come to appreciatethe ITA’s efforts toward the promotion of safetyin our industry, and I look forward to continuingthe ITA’s safety efforts. I’m also involved in ITA’sengineering subcommittee, which is very activelylooking at things like lithium-ion batteries andnew technology and automation implementationin forklifts. Those are things that have a directimpact on forklift safety.
Q: THIS YEAR MARKS THE SEVENTH ANNUAL
NATIONAL FORKLIFT SAFETY DAY. IS THERE
ANYTHING NEW ON THE AGENDA?
A: We plan to diversify the type of guest speakerswe have at the main event. For example, wewould like to have a representative from theacademic world talking about safety programs,and possibly a representative from the end-usercommunity who would share their company’ssafety programs with us. I think that when youhave more people with different backgroundslooking at forklift safety, you get different insights,with safety being enhanced by those perspectives.
Q: WHAT’S THE MAIN MESSAGE YOU WOULDLIKE DC VELOCITY’S READERS TO TAKE AWAYFROM NATIONAL FORKLIFT SAFETY DAY?
A: Never take forklift safety for granted. As soonas you do, you can lose your focus. Safety issomething you have to think about every singleday, every hour, every shift.
Operator training is the backbone of any safetyprogram, and ITA does a great job of promotingthat. Fleet and facility managers should recognizethat the people who operate forklifts needconstant reminders to operate their equipmentproperly and safely. ;
NATIONAL FORKLIFT
SAFETY DAY
