FEATURE FEATUREERP DIGITAL SOFTWARE SOFTWARE
Improving Forklift Safety with RFID Technology Every year in the UK, around 1,300 employees are hospitalised due to serious injuries following a forklift incident. Cutting edge digital technology can help reduce this number.
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ccident figures based on RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) over the last three years show that 43% of incidents involving a forklift truck were impacts with a third person. Of these,
around 65% were pedestrians, 20% co-workers and 15% delivery drivers watching or assisting with loading or unloading their vehicle. Whether using a forklift in a warehouse, at a distribution centre, an airport or seaport, the dangers to others are clear. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) stipulates that there must be adequate segregation of forklift trucks and pedestrians within the workplace. But how do you ensure these areas aren’t breached inadvertently? According to RIDDOR, as the number of forklift truck injuries is on the rise, more will need to be done to address the issue of enhancing safety in areas where forklifts are in use. Emily Hardy, a vehicle safety expert and marketing
foot will also vibrate to warn of an approaching vehicle.
manager at Brigade Electronics UK, says: “Approximately
Due to the RFID technology, which does not require
70% of incidents on sites happen during initial machine
line-of-sight, tags will be detected regardless of obstructions,
start-up and low speed movement because of poor
blind spots, adverse weather conditions or poor visibility. Each
visibility. Warehouses, distribution centres, seaports and
tag can be uniquely identified and linked to individual people.
airports can all be extremely challenging environments
Founded in 1976 by Chris Hanson-Abbott OBE, Brigade
with numerous hazards to navigate. The presence
Electronics introduced the very first reversing alarm to
of ground staff and pedestrians makes these areas
Europe and has been at the forefront of championing vehicle
particularly difficult in terms of ensuring safety is
and plant safety ever since, pioneering new products, and
maintained at all times.” Smart technology is helping
developing and patenting new technology.
to address the problem of restricted visibility and blind
“This technology is ideal for vehicles, like forklift
spots in handling areas. These include the very latest RFID
trucks, that frequently operate within close proximity of
(Radio Frequency Identification) technology, such as Brigade’s ZoneSafe
workers and other machines,” adds Emily. “It provides fast, reliable and
proximity warning system.
accurate data exchange without any limitation on the number of tags or
Designed for use in areas such as warehouses, construction sites,
antennas in operation, making it perfect for large areas like warehouses
manufacturing sites, waste sites, airports and distribution centres, ZoneSafe
and distribution centres. Driver training is obviously key to ensuring safety
uses vehicle-mounted antennas that communicate with detection tags,
standards are adhered to. However, vehicle safety technology can add an
which can be worn by workers, set up in restricted areas or placed on objects
additional layer of security and peace of mind for operators who are keen
or property. When a tag enters a detection zone, the vehicle operator will
to ensure that their workplaces remain hazard free.”
automatically receive a visual and audible alert via the in-cab control unit, More at www.brigade-electronics.com
which will enable them to take the necessary action. Tags worn by workers on Timber Trader UK Magazine
Spring 2022
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