• Only trained operators may operate a POF.
• Make pre-operational and post-operational safety checks.
• Ensure the POF is suitable for the grades intended to be travelled.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as high visibility vest and steel capped footwear.
• Do not operate a POF if hands or footwear are greasy.
• Check the work area for damaged flooring, overhead obstructions, ramps and docks. Do not work too close to the edges of ramps or docks.
• When travelling in reverse take care not to bump into objects, run over loose objects or trip over objects. Do not use a POF in an unauthorised area or explosive atmospheres.
• Keep arms, hands, legs and feet away from the lifting mechanism and wheels.
• Sound the horn when approaching intersecting aisles or blind corners.
• When operating a POF on grades, ramps or inclines, face the load uphill, do not make turns. If it is necessary to park the POF on an incline, make sure the wheels are securely chocked.
• Do not ride on the POF or allow another person to ride on it.
• Do not exceed the safe lift limit of the POF when handling a load. These limits are specified on the data plate.
• The forklift arm blades (tynes) should be a sufficient length to support at least 75% of the load.
• The load should be stable and evenly distributed on both fork arms prior to lifting and when travelling. Fork arms should be sufficient distance apart to ensure the stability of the load.
• Tilt the POF forward only when it is over a stack, rack or vehicle. Tilt the POF backwards only enough to stabilise the load.
• Secure attachments as per the manufacturer's instructions and remember that attachments may affect the load centre of gravity.
• When parking:
  • use the brake
  • lower forks to the ground
  • tilt forward if possible
  • do not leave key in the ignition if unattended

MLA Holdings (MLA), a leading nationwide forklift company, has expanded into the Newcastle, Hunter and Central Coast region of New South Wales with the purchase of two long-established forklift businesses.

The acquisition of Hunter Liftrucks and Inglis Equipment from owner Ray Inglis took effect November 1st, and the combined entities began trading in the region as Hunter MLA.

Ray Inglis started the Inglis Equipment forklift hire business in 1978, and the complementary forklift sales, parts and servicing business, Hunter Liftrucks, in 1985.

Both businesses specialise in helping local customers find the right equipment for the job. Over decades, they have built strong reputations for being responsive to customer needs, selling and hiring only quality forklifts, and supplying the very best service and reliable spare parts.

The new Hunter MLA Branch will incorporate the best of all three businesses. Local customers will deal with the same friendly and professional teams they have always known, while gaining access to a wider range of products and services.

“Hunter Liftrucks, Inglis Equipment and MLA are a perfect fit for the Newcastle, Hunter and Central Coast Region,” said Geoff Marshall, Sales Manager at Hunter MLA.

“Both Hunter Liftrucks and Inglis Equipment bring a strong local presence and a good understanding of the area’s business needs, and MLA has the experience and strength as the national distributor and rental provider of Mitsubishi Forklifts.”

For MLA, the acquisition makes it easier to reach customers in the Newcastle, Hunter and Central Coast region and provides synergies for the established branch structure and Sydney head office.

“Hunter MLA supports our vision to be the materials handling supplier of choice in the Newcastle, Hunter and Central Coast region of New South Wales,” said Matt Saunders, Operations Director for MLA.

Forklifts cause more death and injuries in workplaces than any other piece of equipment. This health and safety solution advises how workplaces can prevent workers getting injured when they get on and off forklifts. This includes:

• buying or retrofitting forklifts with good footing, anti-slip surfaces and grab handles
• ensuring operators maintain three points of contact when getting on and off forklifts
• providing forklift safety training for workers

What is the problem?
Workers being injured while getting on and off a forklift.

What are the risks?

Forklifts cause more workplace deaths and injuries than any other piece of equipment. One in three forklift-related injuries occurs when an operator gets on or off a forklift, often resulting in muscoskeletal back injuries.

What is a solution to the problem?

Put in place risk control measures to eliminate or minimise any risks. When identifying risk controls consider:

·         purchasing or retro-fitting forklifts with good footing, anti-slip surfaces and grab handles

·         ensuring operators maintain three points of contact at all times while getting on and off a forklift (see picture)

·         making sure the operator’s seat and cabin are in good condition

·         freeing operating and parking areas of uneven surfaces and obstructions reducing the number of times workers get on and off a forklift

·         checking the park brake is set, the forks are lowered, and the controls neutralised when getting on a forklift

·         providing information and training on correct techniques to get on and get off forklifts by ensuring three points of contact

·         training operators not to jump from a forklift

A solution
Ensure forklifts have good footing, anti-slip surfaces and grab handles. MLA Holdings Pty Ltd, provide equipment that comes complete with front and rear grab handles, to ensure sufficient points of contact are available for entering and exiting forklifts safely.

Information for this article was sourced from www.worksafe.vic.gov.au. For further forklift safety information contact MLA Holdings Pty Ltd on 131 652 or www.mlaholdings.com.au.

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Forklift dangers
As forklifts must be manoeuvrable, they are designed to be compact. This means they can become unstable when carrying a load. Fully laden, a standard 2 tonne forklift can weigh over 5 tonnes. With lower stability and greater manoeuvrability, combined with uncontrolled traffic areas in workplaces, it’s easy to see how forklifts are often involved in incidents.

Training and qualifications
To operate a forklift in NSW you must have a high-risk work forklift licence. Training to get a high-risk work licence must be completed as part of a course from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
A person training to operate a forklift may operate a forklift at their workplace if they are:

• enrolled with an RTO to train as a forklift operator, and directly supervised while operating the forklift by a person who has both the right licence to perform the high- risk work and suitable workplace experience. Operators should never drive a forklift if their forklift licence has expired.

Safety tips:
Operators have a responsibility to ensure a safe workplace. Operators must ensure they:

• wear Personal Protective Equipment, comply with reasonable instructions and training, follow safe work procedures and do not put themselves or co-workers at risk.
• report all incidents, near misses and hazards (including unsafe equipment) to their supervisor or Health and Safety representative.

To ensure operator safety and that of others, always drive and operate forklifts safely:

• wear a seatbelt, wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from dust and debris when moving stored products from overhead shelving.
• obey speed limits and warning signs, road surfaces and traffic conditions.
• always stay seated in the cabin and do not lean out of the forklift.

When operating a forklift:Lower the forklift tynes to ground level. Ensure the parking brake is set and the controls are in neutral.

• Work and park in well-lit areas so your vision of road surfaces and other traffic is clear.
• In the event of a tip-over, don’t jump. Brace yourself with your feet pressing down, hold tight and lean in the opposite direction of tipping.
• Be aware of speed and stopping distance.
• Before operating a forklift first conduct a pre-start safety check. Report any damage or problems immediately.
• Get on and off safely - Do not jump from your forklift. Instead face the forklift and maintain three points of contact (hands and feet) when you get on and off.
• When you have finished work, before getting off the forklift, lower the forklift tines to ground level, ensure the parking break is engaged and the controls are in neutral.

Information for this article was sourced from www.sdan.org.au. For further forklift safety information contact MLA Holdings Pty Ltd on 131 652 or www.mlaholdings.com.au.

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Over the life of your forklift truck, you'll spend more on operators' wages than anything else – and with good reason. If your operation is going to be safe, efficient and productive, the driver is your most important investment. The first thing any forklift truck should be is a good place to work – but too many managers dismiss a good cab environment as a luxury. And that's a huge mistake. Great cab design is critical. Here's why:

1. Boosting productivity
   When your drivers are uncomfortable, it's a big distraction – and they tire more quickly, too. That lack of focus reduces performance, while increasing the risk of accidents. A well thought-out cab puts all the controls within arm's reach, allowing the driver to keep their mind on the job and their eyes on the environment. It also reduces the need for unnecessary movements keeping the driver feeling fresher for longer.
2. Eliminating strain
   Strain-related injuries suffered by drivers can have long-term impact on their health. The neck, shoulders, upper back and forearms are all particularly susceptible, mainly through overstretching for levers and excessive cab vibration. With sick pay and potentially compensation, good ergonomic design makes sound economic sense. Pay special attention to reach trucks - where mounting and dismounting the truck can really take its toll on the operator's joints. Simple touches like wide, non-slip steps, good grab handles and a lower seat position can reduce the strain enormously... And some trucks go further still. When Mitsubishi designed the SENSiA range of reach trucks, we even created a console that folds away to make things as easy as possible.
3. Reducing damage
   Visibility is a factor in up to 80% of accidents, so look for a cabin design that gives clear, wide open views all around – as well as a high vision mast. Good ergonomics helps here, too. Obviously, a tired or distracted driver is not going to be at their sharpest – and that makes accidents more likely. Since two-thirds of forklift accident victims are colleagues on foot, helping the driver to focus makes work safer for everyone. But reducing accident risk doesn't just protect your workforce. If it happens often enough, minor damage to trucks, racking and stock can quickly add up to a huge – and largely uninsured – expense. The SENSiA Mitsubishi range, provides exceptional visibility through the revolutionary Visionmast, - clear-view fork carriage, overhead guard and an open uncluttered cabin- allowing operators to know exactly what is always going on.
4. Protecting limbs
   Working in very tight and confined spaces, it is vital to consider the space within a reach truck's compartment to ensure it is big enough to protect all of your driver. A compartment which is too small could result in an operator's shoulder, arm or leg protruding from the compartment... creating a very real danger of trapping or scraping a limb against racking walls. In developing SENSiA, Mitsubishi designers looked to maximise the space available within the compartment itself – ensuring operators' limbs are protected against injuries during narrow aisle operations.

For further forklift safety information contact MLA on 131 652 or www.mlaholdings.com.au.  Information for this article was sourced from www.forkliftbriefing.com.

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Background

WorkCover recently responded to two incidents where, in each incident, a worker was injured while a load was being shifted nearby with a forklift. In the first incident, a worker received crush injuries when chains used to suspend the load slipped off the tynes, causing the load to fall. In the second incident, while attempting to place a heavy concrete pit onto a rack with a forklift, the pit toppled onto a worker.

Contributing factors

Investigations are continuing. However, in both incidents, the procedures for lifting, transporting and lowering the load did not ensure the stability of the load at all times. Also, other workers near the forklift were not safely positioned.

Action required

Employers and workers who operate forklifts should note the following:

·         Employers must ensure that plant is safe when properly used. They must develop and implement safe systems of work and ensure that employees are provided with the information, instruction, training and supervision that’s required to ensure their health and safety at work.

·         Forklift operators must be trained and hold a relevant license. They also must be competent at operating the forklift in the environments in which they are required to work.

·         Before lifting a load, the weight, size, shape and composition of a load should be considered, along with the terrain that the forklift will be travelling over. Loads must only be lifted, carried and stored in a manner that ensures stability at all times.

·         When carrying loads, avoid sudden or heavy braking that could cause the load to slide forwards.

·         Employers must provide appropriate equipment to lift and transport loads, which for forklifts could mean using specially designed attachments when the tynes alone are not suitable. However, attachments must only be used if such use is allowed by the manufacturer. Load rating for the combined use of the attachment with the forklift should be prominently displayed.

·         Slip on attachments should be secured to prevent accidental disengagement from the supporting tynes. Do not sling loads from tynes, as there may be a risk of the sling sliding off the tines. If necessary (and allowed by the manufacturer), use a jib or other specifically designed attachment to carry underslung loads.

·         Employers must implement controls to prevent forklifts colliding with pedestrians or other mobile plant. These could include traffic management plans, signage, proximity warning devices, ‘no-go’ and ‘pedestrian only’ areas, site layout, using safely positioned spotters and other similar measures

·         Forklifts have numerous blind spots, especially if the carried load obstructs forward view. Operators should ensure other persons are excluded from the area and, remain in view at all times.

MLA Holdings Pty Ltd takes forklift safety seriously. That is why we are partnered with a leading manufacturer of forklift products and attachments, who has developed Magnetic Fork Covers. The forklift operator can install the magnetic covers on the forks in a matter of seconds, improving stability and decreasing the chances of the load slipping off the forks.

For further forklift safety information contact MLA on 131 652 or www.mlaholdings.com.au. Information for this article was sourced from www.safety.unsw.edu.au.

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