RFID system protects pedestrians

Industry figures suggest that over 40 people suffer injuries caused by forklift trucks each week in the UK and even more during busy peak periods, with the increase of site pedestrian and driver activity.

"Safety should be a priority in any materials handling operation, so add-ons that enhance safety levels should be considered, particularly in operations where forklifts and pedestrians are required to operate in the same areas," says Paul Sercombe of Leicester based Transmon Engineering, which supplies a range of electronic devices and systems to help improve the safety and efficiency of forklift truck operations.

One solution Transmon has developed is Pedestrian Alert System that utilises RFID technology and can be fitted to almost any forklift truck. It detects the presence of a pedestrian, via an RFID active tag, worn by workers onsite at all times.

The RFID active tags pulse a signal several times every second, activating the system when it enters the proximity detecting field (approximately 7m from a forklift).