Spotlight on forklift safety champions

FLTA chief executive, Peter Harvey MBE, says: “Every day, three workers in the UK are hospitalised as a result of incidents involving fork lift trucks. Worryingly, this number is rising… and it’s down to each of us to do our best to reverse it.  

At this year’s National Fork Lift Safety Conference (#SAFE2017), we will put the focus on those who, in the face of challenges, have done their part by improving the safety culture surrounding fork lift truck operations – saving lives and limbs.”  

The inspirational stories of strength, determination and commitment are a powerful catalyst for our own endeavours: reigniting our enthusiasm about the role and importance of safe operations.

At #SAFE2017, delegates will hear from Health, Safety & Environment Manager Steve Grange of Communisis plc. 

Like many fork lift truck users, the interaction between pedestrians and workplace transport is the biggest risk facing operations at this communications and marketing services provider. 

Working within a tight production space at its Copley depot in West Yorkshire, the company sought to reduce the risk by looking at the four pillars of fork lift safety: management, operators, site and trucks. 

Developments included: 

Tighter control of movement by creating safer access routes using barriers, gates and standardised marked crossings.

Limiting pedestrian access to operating areas via a card reader, installed with remote-controlled doors where the company’s “Golden Safety Rules” apply.

Increased awareness via monthly health and safety toolbox talks: These were introduced to give staff and management a forum for discussing rules and operating specifics. In addition, it allows the company to share lessons from near misses across the group: improving fork driver awareness and training.

Safety from every angle

Communisis is just one in an exceptional line-up of speakers for this year’s Conference. Working together under the theme Managing fork lift safety in changing times, each will deliver valuable insight into the world of fork lift safety. 

Phillip White, Head of HSE’s Operational Strategy Division, will deliver the event’s keynote address. He will review the latest figures from the HSE and will discuss the latest thinking there… and what it may mean for those on the ‘frontline’. 

Jan Lorenz, Managing Director of Conference Sponsor Jungheinrich UK, will discuss Safety and the Manufacturer with delegates, while Tony Gallagher of Continental Tyres will share practical advice on how to ensure your maintenance regime keeps your tyres safe and efficient.  

Laura Nelson, Managing Director of RTITB, will look at the importance of operators completing pre-use inspections and how failure to do so can have devastating consequences. 

Stuart Taylor, Managing Director of Mentor FLT Training will spell out the three elements of fork lift truck training required by law and, importantly, explain how companies can deliver this in-house. He’ll highlight why completing this training is so important – giving delegates the genuine benefits in terms of safety, productivity and bottom line.

Inspirational leadership

Aggreko plc chief executive Chris Weston will inspire delegates with a session on the importance of leadership and safety.

This year’s special guest speaker is motorsports guru Mark Gallagher. Mark has a 17-year track record in public speaking and his passionate, inspirational speeches focus on the key business lessons that can be learned from the intensively competitive world of Formula One team management. 

Safety is one the driving forces in motor racing, and he has an extraordinary knowledge of the lengths that teams go to protect drivers in this most dangerous of sports.

We also expect him to touch upon the themes of leadership, establishing winning team cultures, collaborating with key stakeholders and the logistical issues inherent in moving hundreds of tonnes of priceless equipment from circuit to circuit.

The exceptional team cultures that pervade the world of Formula One are truly unique, and we look forward to hearing about the secrets of success employed by F1 teams in their relentless pursuit of continual improvement.

At the end of the Conference, the Practical Safety Panel will take questions from delegates. Looking at safety from every angle, the panel features experts from the fields of training and manufacturing, as well as managers and supervisors on the ‘frontline’. 

For more information or to book your place, please click here or call the FLTA secretariat on 01635 277 577.