The demand for forklift safety solutions is on the rise across Australia and New Zealand thanks to the renewed growth in local manufacturing and warehousing to address supply issues experienced during Covid-19.
In September 2021, SafeWork NSW noted incidents involving forklifts was one of the biggest issues for the organisation and, in particular, for five key sectors:
- transport
- manufacturing
- construction
- retail and
- wholesale
An incident involving a forklift occurred every day, six days a week in NSW over the last two years (Source) In this time, there have been five fatalities in NSW alone.
According to SafeWork NSW Executive Director of Compliance and Resolution, Tony Williams, “the main cause of injury or death was inadequate separation between pedestrians and forklifts, which led to pedestrians being hit by a forklift or its load.”
Another 20 percent of workplaces didn’t have simple seatbelt compliance in place.
The problem is not unique to NSW. From February to May 2022, in Queensland, there were three serious forklift accident leading to one fatality. (Source) All were workers in the vicinity of the forklift with one being reversed into.
In Victoria companies and directors have been fined between $35,000 and $55,000 (Source) for not providing a safe workplace with respect to forklifts, with manslaughter charges in one case. (Source)
These alarming statistics have prompted increased inspections, fines and education by state SafeWork bodies. However, SGESCO-MAX’s range of MAX-SAFE Forklift Safety products can prevent many of these accidents from happening in the first place. Plus, other MAX-SAFE Solutions can create a much safer working environment for workers in these five at-risk industries.
Forklifts are deceptive
Forklifts are valuable in worksites as they are compact and manoeuvrable. While they are not massive vehicles, they come pre-installed with counterbalances to ensure the body can balance the weight of what is being lifted on the forks (which themselves can weigh anything from 7 to 14 Kg per fork.)
Thus, they are deceptively heavy and can cause major accidents and injury even at low speeds. Fully laden, a standard 2-tonne forklift can weigh approximately 5 tonnes. (Source) This is why forklift safety training and forklift safety solutions are needed. In Australia, a person must be 18 years of age and hold a Licence to Perform High Risk Work to operate a forklift.
Over the years. the safety features that come standard with new forklifts have improved (driven largely by a desire to prevent accidents) – however many forklifts do not incorporate common-sense and commercially available safety features. Furthermore, many forklifts, when used for 8 hours a day have an operational life of 6 years minimum. It is likely they are not using the latest safety technology.
As a leader in heavy vehicle safety solutions for over twenty years, SGESCO-MAX has adapted our advanced safety solutions to forklifts, enabling them to be fitted in the build of new forklifts or retrofitted through an after-market service. This will provide a greater safety system for all forklift operators, staff and site workers.
Our Forklift Safety Solutions for Common Forklift Accidents
Speeding Accidents
With our Forklift Speed Control SystemTM warehouse or site safety managers can program a set maximum RPM and speed per location. Our Transmission Interlock System monitors the vehicle’s speed and engine RPM, and only enables a gear change if the speed and RPM are both below a set level. This system also protects a forklift’s transmission system and reduces tyre wear by 50%.
Out of control / Driverless Forklifts
With our MAX-SAFE Sequenced Seatbelt Interlock System TM installed a forklift cannot start or drive off until the forklift driver is seated and buckled in. Our system uses seat and seatbelt sensors to detect if a driver is seated and buckled in. As soon as a driver unclasps their seatbelt, the forklift will stop.
It’s recommended that all companies install these preventative solutions in their fleets in order to deliver safer workplaces, meet safety goals and avoid fines and charges.
For further information on the MAX-SAFE range of Forklift Safety Solutions complete our Contact form here
SafeWork Guidelines
Forklift safety information can be found on the SafeWork Australia website or from each state-based organisation.
