Separating forklifts and pedestrians has long been a problem for workplace managers and supervisors. This task becomes more difficult when forklifts cannot be seen or heard. It is particularly hard to know when electric forklifts are approaching in a warehouse. Whenever there is any chance that a forklift and a pedestrian will cross paths, safety precautions must be taken to prevent accidents.

A forklift approach warning light, more commonly known as a blue safety light system, ensures greater safety in warehouse aisles, blind spots, and confusing crossing points. It has become a sought after solution for counterbalance and warehouse forklifts.The lights can be mounted to both the front and back of the forklift. A bright, usually blue, light is projected onto the floor, several metres ahead of the forklift in the direction of travel. This light warns pedestrians and other operators that a forklift is approaching. The light moves only when the forklift does, thus pedestrians are aware when the forklift is stationary or on the move.

Safe Work Australia suggests that the use of visual warning systems is an important factor to consider for your traffic management plan. A forklift approach warning light provides many benefits, including:

• Early warning of an approaching forklift.
• Improves safety in aisles, blind spots and crossing points.
• When mounted correctly it is not sensitive to vibration.
• Also available in red, to provide the best possible contrast to the floor surface.
• Provides a clear indication of the forklift's position and movement.

Making forklifts more noticeable in your facility will only help you have a more effective traffic management plan. Warning pedestrians and other operators of approaching forklifts will no doubt reduce the potential for accidents and injuries.

MLA Holdings can fit all Mitsubishi counterbalance and warehouse forklifts with a suitable forklift approach warning system upon request.

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The weight, shape, size and composition of a load affect the way it should be lifted. Before picking up any load, it is crucial to know the forklift's load capacity. This can be found on the forklift's load capacity plate, which details the load each forklift can safely lift. Overloading can damage the forklift and increase the possibility of accidents.

It is important to check the load before you start. Things you need to consider include:

• If any materials are damaged, remove them.
• When loads are particularly long or wide, map out a suitable route.
• Ensure the load and the tynes are centred.
• If the load comprises different lengths of material, ensure the point of balance is in the middle of the tynes.

SafeWork Australia states that; "Loads should be firmly placed against the carriage or back-rest with the mast tilted back sufficiently to safeguard against the load slipping, falling or rolling off the fork tynes. All loads that have the potential to slip, fall or roll off the fork tynes or pallet must be appropriately restrained with straps or similar." Unbalanced loads can cause the forklift to tip over.

WorkCover NSW suggests the following precautions when carrying a load:

• Do not drive with a raised load.
• Do not pull or drag loads.
• Do not sling loads from tynes, as there may be a risk of the load sliding off the tynes.
• Drive in reverse if a bulky load obscures your forward view.
• When operating the forklift on an incline, the load must be tilted back and raised only as far as needed to clear the road surface. The load must be facing up the incline.

It is crucial that operators never overload the forklift, secure their loads, and take extra precautions when carrying odd and oversized loads.

All forklifts supplied by MLA Holdings are fitted with valid and legible load capacity plates that comply with the Australian Standard. Information for this article was sourced from SafeWork Australia and WorkCover NSW.

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Ken's Korner

Over the years as our company continued to grow all of our original rented premises have groaned under the strain of this expansion and it has been necessary to move to bigger premises in all mainland states...

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Bigger and Better MLA Adelaide

In an exciting start to 2015, MLA Holdings is delighted to announce that the South Australian branch moved to a brand new location in February. The new premises are located at 585 South Road, Regency Park, SA, 5010. MLA is looking forward to serving its South Australian customers from this new location with the quality and forklift service that its reputation is built on. The rapid growth of MLA's sales of forklifts in Adelaide and the Mitsubishi Forklift brand in South Australia necessitated the move to much larger premises...

For the full article please download the pdf here.

New Forklifts

2015 promises to be an exciting year for MLA Holdings with the arrival of several new forklifts. After the successful introduction of the brand new FD70NM in late 2014, MLA is pleased to announce the imminent arrival of four new forklifts in 2015, adding to an already impressive range of counterbalance forklifts and warehouse forklifts. Due to arrive soon are the SENSIA RB-N2 reach truck, the RBF-CA reach truck, the FD160AN1 Diesel Counterbalance forklift, and the long awaited Pantograph double deep reach truck.

These new forklifts embody Mitsubishi's famous quality and reliability and are all expected to be available in Australia exclusively from MLA Holdings during 2015...

For the full article please download the pdf here.

To view the March/April 2015 MLA Newsletter in full please download the pdf here.

According to Safe Work Australia pre-start safety checks or procedures should include the following:

• Lift and tilt systems including the correct operation of attachments such as clamps, hydraulics lines (for oil leaks), chains, cables and limits.
• Steering, brakes (including park brakes), controls and lights.
• Each tyre for wear, damage, and inflation (pneumatic types)
• Guarding is in place and functional, for example, around the battery compartment or fuel lines.
• All warning devices are operational.
• Fork arms and attachments (for deformation, damage or wear)
• Liquid levels, for example, hydraulic oil, brake fluid and water.
• Gas cylinder, where relevant, and its securing system.
• Check the condition and adjustment of the seat and seat belts to ensure they work reliably.
• Load capacity data plate is fitted, legible and correct.
• Mast: check for signs of wear, damage, cracks or repairs.

If any defects are identified, complete the operational checklist with details and follow organisational policies and procedures for tagging out of equipment and reporting. The forklift pre-start checklist should only be conducted by operators who are trained to do so, while any maintenance and repairs must be done by persons who are competent and authorised to do so.

Aside from reducing the risk of injury to the operator and other employees, the pre-start inspection will also improve the condition of the forklift, increase productivity, and reduce downtime and maintenance costs.

MLA Holdings has an excellent reputation for keeping the forklifts they provide operating at peak performance. MLA's trained technicians can respond to any defects identified in the pre-start checklist inspection almost immediately.

Information for this article was sourced from Safe Work Australia and the Nationwide Training Forklift Operation Manual.

Download the pdf here.

"The RBF14-20CA from Mitsubishi is incredibly user friendly, it's built on simplicity without compromising on performance," says Gary Hodge, National Sales & Marketing Manager at MLA Holdings. "MLA is very pleased that we are now able to offer this product to the Australian market."

Hydraulics, travelling, and power steering functions on the RBF have been integrated into one AC control system, which makes the truck much smoother to operate. The simplicity of the controls allows the operator to be more focussed and productive. Visibility is also significantly enhanced on the RBF. The free lift cylinder is mounted diagonally and away from the mast symmetry, allowing for unflawed forward view.

Performance standards were not compromised when making the RBF-CA. AC motor technology delivers a smooth and powerful drive, while 360 degree steering gives the truck a tight turning radius, creating space efficiency in busy warehouse environments.

The RBF14-20CA reach truck is available in three different models with a maximum lift height of 10 metres.

MLA Holdings have been leading the Australian materials handling industry since 1980. Together with the Mitsubishi Forklift brand they hold a reputation built on delivering the highest quality, most reliable forklifts. The new RBF14-20CA reach truck is another addition to its extensive range of warehouse, electric, and engine forklifts.

The release of the RBF14-20CA has been reported by T&L News, foodprocessing.com.au and tradeplantequipment.com.au.

The best way to reduce these accidents is to effectively separate pedestrians and forklifts, and the best way to do that is to have an effective traffic management plan in place at your workplace. WorkCover NSW defines a traffic management plan as; "A set of rules for managing the safest and most efficient movement of traffic in your workplace." They recommend using the four SAFE Steps of hazard management, which consist of;

• Spot the Hazard – associated with the movement of forklifts, other vehicles and pedestrians.
• Assess the Risk – caused by these hazards.
• Fix the Problem – the most effective way to control risks is to eliminate them.
• Evaluate Results – ensure control measures have been implemented and are not creating new hazards.

WorkCover NSW suggests that the SAFE process be repeated at regular intervals.

There are many other factors to consider for your traffic management plan to ensure that forklifts and pedestrians are separated and their paths don't cross, including but not limited to;

• Create 'no go' zones for forklifts (pedestrian only areas).
• Create 'no go' zones for pedestrians (forklift only areas).
• Using safety signs, high impact physical safety barriers and boom gates.
• Using speed-limiting devices and implementing speed limits.
• Using a combination of audible (alarms and horns) and visual (flashing lights) warning devices and ensuring these are working when the forklift is operating.
• Providing high-visibility or reflective clothing for workers and operators and high-visibility markings for the forklift trucks.
• Work scheduling that prevents pedestrians being in the same area at the same time as operating forklifts.

A combined effort from operators, pedestrians and supervisors is needed to ensure that a separation of forklifts and pedestrians is achieved. Supervisors must ensure that employees observe exclusion zones and follow safety procedures at all times. Do not wait until an injury or death occurs at your workplace before separating pedestrians and forklifts.

All forklifts supplied by MLA Holdings are fitted with audible and visual warning devices. Options such as cameras and speed-limiting devices are also available.

Information for this article was sourced from www.workcover.nsw.gov.au and www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au.

Download the pdf here.