New Technology To Be Showcased At Forklift Roadshow

Technology designed to keep workers safe will be
highlighted at a nationwide forklift roadshow.

The
roadshow, hosted by WorkSafe New Zealand, will tour the
country from February to April 2021 and aims to reduce the
amount of harm being caused by forklifts
nationwide.

Between 2013 and 2020 WorkSafe recorded 11
fatalities involving a forklift. Alongside these fatalities
sits an average of 127 injuries resulting in more than a
week away from work each year.

The roadshow, which
will feature a presentation from John Harrison (Forklift
Training and Support), will present drone, video and CCTV
footage from live operating environments to demonstrate the
everyday risks forklift operators encounter.

Ruth Cook
and Julie-Ann Mail (WorkSafe Engagement Leads) will discuss
WorkSafe’s programme of work designed to support safer use
of vehicles. It will also see demonstrations from companies
who have developed proximity warning devices.

The
devices are designed to alert the forklift operator when
they come in close proximity of people on the ground. The
technology is still relatively new for industries using
forklifts, and WorkSafe says it is great to see companies
thinking smart about health and safety
solutions.

WorkSafe’s Director of Engagement and
Implementation Angela Mansell said the devices would no
doubt be a highlight of the roadshows.

“Health and
safety solutions can be hard to conceptualise on paper. This
gives those who use forklifts in their workplace the chance
to see them in action and interact with the
tech.

“Forklifts are a vital work vehicle for many
businesses. Using them safely and having safe systems in
place is imperative for taking care of those interacting
with the workplace.

“The objective of these
roadshows is to increase levels of knowledge and
understanding of risks and risk management for operators,
site workers and businesses working with
forklifts.

WorkSafe says other forklift safety points
of discussion within the roadshow would include controls
such as exclusion zones, operator training and maintenance
of forklifts.

The roadshows are free of charge and all
those keen to improve their awareness of safety around
forklifts, particularly forklift operators, health and
safety managers and health and safety representatives are
invited to
attend.

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