girl-crushedThe Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) expects a rush of ticket sales, after confirming a heavyweight roster of speakers for its National Fork Lift Truck Safety Conference.

The Association has made additional seats available to cope with anticipated demand for the September event, switching to a larger venue after last year’s conference sold out in record time.

Highlights of an impressive 2010 programme include HSE Board Member John Spanswick CBE, giving a keynote presentation based upon his long experience at the most senior levels of the project management and construction industry.

Mr Spanswick will set the tone for a conference emphasising how strategic improvements by management can save lives and limbs on the front line, leading the FLTA to urge attendees to “Bring The Boss!”.

FLTA chief executive David Ellison explains: “As ever, the Safety Conference will be packed with practical, no-nonsense information for any manager with responsibility with fork lift trucks. However, we’ll also make it clear that the bigger picture – the strategies and priorities set by those at the top – make a huge difference to the risks faced by workers in the warehouse.

“So, if you want to get something done about fork lift truck safety in your workplace, bring the boss!”

Other speakers at this year’s conference, which is sponsored by Calor, represent a wide range of viewpoints from the materials handling and logistics industry, as well as legal and insurance perspectives.

Topics covered will include strategic planning, site surveys, corporate manslaughter and operator assessment, while delegates are somewhat cryptically invited to “plan your own accident”.

David Ellison continues: “Fork lift trucks are still by far the most dangerous type of workplace transport in the UK, and avoidable accidents shatter the lives of ordinary workers on a daily basis. One day is a pretty small investment, to help keep your employees safe.”

To find out more about this year’s Safety Conference and to book your place, visit www.fork-truck.org.uk/safety-conference. The FLTA can be contacted on 01256 381441, or by writing to Fork Lift Truck Association, Manor Farm Buildings, Lasham, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 5SL.

National Fork Lift Truck Safety Conference 2010: programme in full

Keynote Address

John Spanswick CBE HSE Director and Group Chairman of Bovis Lend Lease

The Cost of Ignoring Safety

Andrew Randle Account Executive – Oval Insurance Broking Ltd

Craig McLaughlin Risk Management Specialist – Allianz Insurance plc

How much does a fork lift truck accident actually cost? How many claims are there, and what proportions aren’t covered? …and, crucially, what advice can help users of fork lift trucks to minimise the risks and keep premiums down?

The Legal Implications

Garry Gallen Partner – Russell, Jones & Walker Solicitors

safety-conference-sept10-2Insights from the National Law Firm of the Year 2009, on why personal injury, HSE investigations and corporate manslaughter should be of interest to every company, every employee and, importantly, every director.  How can you best protect your company?

Cultural Considerations

Peter Fausel Executive Vice President – I.D. Systems Inc.

Different countries and cultures have different attitudes to safety – fact! That’s an obvious consideration for multinationals, but what about smaller companies with employees from diverse backgrounds? Discover cultural safety aspects revealed by I.D. Systems’ worldwide operations.

Strategic Planning

Les Knight Head of Key Accounts – Briggs Equipment UK Ltd

Ken Stoll Health and Safety Manager – Briggs Equipment UK Ltd

The strategic planning stage, when buildings and operations are being conceived, is too often overlooked as a key time to “design in” safety. Getting the type of equipment, building layouts and traffic flows right in these early stages will certainly increase productivity, but it can also reduce accidents.

Training and Supervision

Pete Lennon Head of HSE Workplace Transport Team

The HSE has identified poor supervision as one of the key contributory causes of workplace transport incidents. This vital session will assess how proper management control can help improve safety. It will also include an update on the HSE’s investigation into the training of fork lift truck operators and indicate any changes that are being considered for the future.

Safe Use of Gas

Phil Anderson Training Coordinator – Calor Gas

A practical guide to the safe use of LPG fuels in materials handling contexts.

High Risk Areas

Ruth Waring Managing Director – Labyrinth Logistics Consulting Ltd

What can be done to minimise risk in key danger areas for fork lift truck operations, like loading bays? Setting up your own “accident” can help all concerned understand the issues involved in such a serious event.

Operator Assessment  Case Study

Dr Will Murray Interactive Driving Systems Ltd

An innovative case study into how D S Smith Packaging have successfully used virtual operator assessment technology to assess their operators and provide targeted training where it is most needed.

Safety Solutions Case Study

David Ellison Fork Lift Truck Association

Martin Connop Abex Ltd

lpgenius_cmykAn overview of the Safety finalists at this year’s FLTA Awards for Excellence, before the winner, Abex Ltd, explains how a new Mobile Access Platform (MAP3) has helped National Express carry out difficult and potentially dangerous work at height on its double-decker buses.

Manage to be Safe

David Ellison will summarise the day and remind delegates that the conference has taken place in the middle of the FLTA sponsored National Fork Lift truck Safety Week – “Manage to be Safe”. There will be an opportunity for any final questions.

To find out more about this year’s Safety Conference, visit www.fork-truck.org.uk/safety-conference. The FLTA can be contacted on 01256 381441.

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