As forklifts’ performance becomes more advanced, the need increases for approved operator training. UK workplace transport training regulator RTITB is warning forklift operators’ employers about the risks and penalties of failing to issue proper authorisation to their workers: “Some employers don’t even know what this authorisation is or why it’s needed,” explains Laura Nelson, RTITB’s MD, “but it‘s their responsibility, not the trainer’s.”
Under no circumstances, says Laura, should anyone operate lift trucks without authorisation, as this can pose huge risks to safety and jeopardise legal compliance. Authorisation should only be granted when employers are satisfied their operators have completed proper training and have a clear training record.
In a separate development, the Association of Industrial Truck trainers (AITT) and the Fork Lift Truck Association have announced an alliance aimed at maximising the flow of information, guidance and resources to people in the forklift truck industry, and those owning and operating equipment on site. The new relationship means AITT members will be granted FLTA Partnership Member status, allowing access to online information and resources, including Member news and Technical Bulletins, along with discounts for the FLTA’s online shop and its National Forklift Safety Convention. FLTA members will have access to the AITT website, to download HSE documentation and safety-focused information, particularly about training.
In supplier news Hyster has launched a new, compact Reach Truck series with a tilting mast, perfect for warehouses where space is at a premium such as retail, food and beverage applications. The new Hyster Reach Trucks lift 1400kg to heights of 7.5m and the mast tilts back, ideal for work in narrow aisles.
Clark has also launched a new truck range, in their case electric four-wheel forklift trucks rivalling internal combustion forklifts on power and cost. The EPXi performs as reliably as a diesel or LPG forklift and cost of purchase is also on par with IC forklifts, making it a quiet and eco-friendly alternative.
Combilift’s product range has expanded massively since they introduced the first C-series multidirectional forklifts in 1998. In two recent contracts, RH Wilson, a Lake District timber importer has acquired its latest C4000, fitted with guide rollers for guided aisle operation, and Moore Concrete, a major supplier of quality precast concrete throughout the UK and Ireland, have invested in a 75-tonne capacity Combi-SC, one of Combilift’s largest ever straddle carriers.
On the motive power front, Pan- European power storage specialist ECOBAT Battery Technologies is highly regarded for its comprehensive trial and testing procedures and ability to select the most appropriate solution for customers. ECOBAT’s latest innovation is its Lucas CSM range of high performance 2-volt cell traction batteries, which incorporate copper stretch metal (CSM) technology to deliver day-today service levels close to those of lithium-ion batteries.
And finally, Linde UK has awarded ELOKON, the safety and assistance systems supplier, a contract for its ELOprotect mobile personnel protection product, which detects potential collisions with pedestrians, objects or other trucks and is already operational on several UK sites. 19 of these systems will be retrofitted to the Linde K man-up turret trucks currently in use at Culina subsidiary Great Bear’s Skelmersdale site.
BILL REDMOND
Features Editor
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