WHAT SAFETY ASSISTANT SYSTEMS CAN I ADD TO MY FORKLIFT?
Businesses are recognising the need for advanced safety assistant systems to mitigate the risks associated with forklift operations. With forklifts accounting for a significant number of workplace injuries and accidents, implementing the right safety measures is essential to protect employees, equipment and productivity.
One of the most effective safety solutions is an Access Control System, which ensures that only authorised personnel can operate specific equipment. By using PIN codes or RFID swipe cards, businesses can prevent unauthorised access, improving both security and accountability. This system helps track who is operating the forklift and when, reducing the likelihood of untrained individuals causing accidents or damage.
Another effective safety enhancement is the Impact Detector, which minimises damage to valuable assets by detecting impacts at various levels. When an impact occurs, the system activates an audible or visual alarm, altering personnel to the issue. Only certified personnel with a special remote control devices an disable these alerts, ensuring accountability. The system ultimately reduces equipment damage, lowers repair costs and enhances site safety.
For better visibility, Illuminated Vehicle Livery offers an alternative to standard audible warnings. These high-visibility panels can animate, flash, pulse or illuminate to alert pedestrians and drivers of moving hazards. This significantly increases awareness in busy warehouse environments where forklifts and pedestrians operate in close proximity.
Reversing forklifts pose a significant hazard in workplaces. Camera Active Reversing Systems (CARS) use radar technology to detect stationary objects and pedestrians in potentially dangerous positions. These all-in-one systems provide both visual and audible alerts, reducing the risk of accidents and eliminating operator blind spots.
Complementing this is the Pedestrian Detection Camera, which is one of the most advanced safety systems available today. Unlike traditional systems requiring tags or high-vis vests, this technology detects both moving and static pedestrians using an intelligent algorithm. It enhances operator awareness and significantly reduces vehicle-pedestrian collisions.
Another valuable safety addition to forklifts is the Driver Aid Camera System, which enhances operator visibility by transmitting real-time images to a monitor inside the cab. Whether mounted on the forks or positioned elsewhere, these cameras help operators to accurately assess their surroundings, reducing unnecessary damage and improving safety when lifting and manoeuvring loads.
Similarly, Reversing Aids assist operators in safely manoeuvring forklifts in confined spaces such as warehouses or open environments like storage yards. These systems feature targets beam patterns and detection zones to minimise false warnings and ensure precise navigation.
Speed control is a critical factor in forklift safety. Speed Zoning Systems offer effective solutions for limiting speed in high-risk areas, such as workshops or pedestrian heavy zones. Options include line-based systems which define speeds zones with physical markings that adjust speed accordingly, and internal/external zoning, where forklifts automatically reduce speed upon entering a designated area. Another option, Speed Zoning Beacon, provides visual and audible alerts when a forklift enters a dangers zone, improving awareness and accident prevention.
To reinforce safe driving habits, Speedwatch warns operators when they exceed site speed limits by activating a dashboard warning light and buzzer. If the driver fails to slow down, a second warning light is triggered. The system allows business to set precise speed limits, ensuring compliance and promoting better driving standards. Additionally, a Speed Limiter physically prevents forklifts from exceeding a set speed without affecting lifting power. This solution is already fitted to over a million vehicles worldwide, effectively reducing speeding incidents, improving safety and lowering maintenance costs.
Ensuring forklift operators wear seatbelts is another important aspect of workplace safety. A Seatbelt Inhibitor can immobilise the forklift until the operator fastens their seatbelt. Made from high-visibility material, these seatbelts also allow managers to quickly identify non-compliance, reducing injury risks and reinforcing safety protocols.
Enhancing visibility further, Safety Lights come in various forms, including arcs, spots, arrows and danger zones. These lights are designed to increase pedestrian awareness of moving forklifts, reducing the likelihood of accidents.
Similarly, the LED Safety Protection Light is ideal for high-risk areas. It projects bright warning messages or symbols onto the floor, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional floor markings. Unlike painted markings that wear over time, these projections remain highly visible and can be relocated if needed.
Another essential safety option in the Idle Limiter, which automatically shits down unattended forklifts that have been left running. This not only reduces fuel consumption and engine wear but also prevents potential hazards, such as accidental vehicle movements in busy areas.
At Rushlift, Safety is our priority. We understand the complexities of material handling operations and work closely with our partners, such as FTC Safety Solutions, to provide tailored advice and solutions that enhance workplace safety. Investing in forklift safety assistant systems is not just about compliance, it’s about protecting your workforce, reducing costs and ensuring smooth, efficient operations.
Make your fleet safer today!
Contact Rushlift for expert guidance on implementing the best safety solutions for your operation.