As part of a commitment to raise standards and improve the safe operation of materials handling equipment, the British Industrial Truck Association (BITA) is championing the UK introduction of National Forklift Safety Day.
Established six years ago by the Industrial Truck Association (ITA) in the USA, National Forklift Safety Day is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness of the safe use of forklifts and the importance of proper operator training.
Taking place on 11th June 2019, BITA is leading this initiative in the UK and working closely with our members and supporting associations and groups. Other supporting partners in this project are the Health and Safety Executive, UKWA, FLTA, SHD Logistics, CFTS, RTITB and IMHX.
National Forklift Safety Day focuses on raising awareness of safe working practices with all users of materials handling equipment. The key message for 2019 is to raise awareness so that management realises their responsibility to ensure restraints in forklift trucks are being used as required. Although seatbelts are the most obvious restraint, other physical barrier devices such as door bars or enclosed cabs, and enforcement solutions such as speed monitoring devices and seatbelt interlocks, are also important.
“HSE will prosecute site operators who do not take adequate measures to enforce the wearing of seat belts”, says Steve Simmons-Jacobs, HSE portfolio holder for industrial trucks, “A Company policy document combined with basic training is insufficient; supervision and enforcement of safety policy is a legal duty on Management.”
As demand grows in materials handling operations and loads become more varied, the risk of damage to trucks, loads and infrastructure can increase, resulting in extra costs, additional maintenance and increased downtime.
Whilst it is the duty holder’s responsibility to ensure that safe systems of work are being followed, there are a number of solutions that Yale can supply that may assist with this. The optimum solution will depend on the particular site condition, so please discuss the options with your Yale supplier.
If you want to play a part in raising standards in safety across your industry or want to show the measures you go to to ensure employee safety, then use the following hashtags in your posts #NFSD19 or #nationalforkliftsafetyday.
BITA members can order free copies of all Guidance Notes and significant discounts on most of our publications. View our full range and order yours today – https://www.bita.org.uk/online-store/
Further information is available at www.bita.org.uk
