When a material handling equipment incident happens, often it is operators that are held to account, with poor training taking the blame. However, incidents often occur as a result of poor supervision, so to reduce risks, managers also need correct training. It is a legal requirement under The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 that managers and supervisors are adequately trained. RTITB’s Managing and Supervising Material Handling Equipment Operations eLearning is a long-term training solution for maintaining safety and standards while managing costs.

This article was first published in the April 1st 2022 issue of Warehouse & Logistics News, subscribe to the magazine by clicking here.

One company taking safety seriously is Combilift, whose stand at this year’s Health and Safety Event will focus on the company’s ever growing range of walk behind stacker trucks. In many industry sectors there is a move towards replacing ride-on forklifts with pedestrian trucks due to the reduced risk that they pose – not only to the operator but also to any other personnel or general public who may be in the vicinity.

Briggs Equipment delivered a high quality fleet of machines, backed up by comprehensive service and innovative infrastructure support to Mereway Group, a luxury kitchen and bathroom manufacturer. The new fleet is a mix of Hyster reach, electric counterbalance and 5 ton IC units on a 7-year contract. Each of the new trucks has been fully configured to operate at maximum efficiency within its working environment.

Amazon has ordered a fleet of six Flexi Truck articulated forklift trucks for its DXB3 fulfilment centre in Dubai Logistics City, UAE. Amazon’s new Flexi Trucks feature digital electric motor technology that allows independent twin front-wheel drive, hydraulic functions and the truck’s unique power-steering motor to be controlled digitally – ensuring the most productive, energy-efficient and safe driving performance throughout the working day.

The 1600kg capacity Toyota BT Levio LWI160 is the materials handling industry’s first-ever purpose-designed lithium-ion powered pallet truck (PPT). Thanks to the unique modular, compact lithium-ion battery solution, it has opened the possibility to re-think design standards of material handling equipment. The result is a truck with optimised component position, smaller dimensions, light weight, and low energy consumption.

At Hydro Precision Tubing in Lichtervelde, Belgium, the application in the cast house demands top performance from two Clark forklifts of the C55sD series every day. The trucks not only have to withstand temperatures of up to 700 degrees, but also prove their abilities when handling heavy loads. Their task is to remove the dross from the hot furnace after each melting process before it is refilled.

As we observe the healthy innovation within the fork lift sector, we trust the highest safety standards are being maintained.

George Simpson

Features Editor

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