WAREHOUSE SAFETY 2015 SUPPLEMENT BRITAIN’S ONLY FORTNIGHTLY MAGAZINE FOR THE INDUSTRY TEL: 01923 272960 • EMAIL: [email protected] • WEB: WWW.WAREHOUSENEWS.CO.UK I.D. Systems’ pre-ops checklists promote responsible and safe MHE operations. Ensuring material handling equipment and operators are fit for their tasks at the start of a working day or shift are - or should be - standard operating procedures. However, actually making sure these procedures are being followed can be a different matter: as much as fleet managers would like to rely on the diligence and conscientiousness of employees, enforcing and monitoring the process by electronic pre-ops checklists is a much more fool proof than the old manual paper trail methodology, and inadvertently leads to fewer accidents and lower MHE repair costs. It is acknowledged that MHE fleet management systems can play a major role in improving safety by making operators more accountable, monitoring impacts and reducing the likelihood of careless driving. Central to this are pre-ops safety checklists such as those offered by I.D. Systems (UK) Ltd., a leading provider of OEM independent MHE fleet management solutions designed to reduce costs whilst improving productivity and enhancing safety procedures. I.D. Systems is the pioneer of the electronic pre-ops checklists and continuously works on improving and expanding this functionality. Today, key features are hierarchical and impact-driven checklists. Furthermore, it is standard for checklist questions to be tailored 100% to the customers’ operational requirements and the type of equipment being used. The randomising of answers to pre- ops checklist questions further ensures that an operator must actively review the response options prior to confirming their answer. This innovative feature eliminates the risk of operators simply “ticking the box” without reviewing the answer options first. Wrong/critical responses by operators can automatically enforce a log-out procedure: operators will not be able to use the truck in question and the truck will wirelessly send a message to the head of the workshop of its current log-out status. Intermediate answers on the state of trucks included in I.D. Systems’ PowerBox™ and PowerFleet™ products again offer more options than a simple yes/no reply: the possibility to enter a minor warning alert - without prompting the log-out process - can be recorded to enable prompt post-shift preventative maintenance to be carried out, reducing major future repair or truck breakdown events. MHE fleet management systems can also be used to ensure that only trained operators can drive specific truck types such trucks are not “borrowed” or inappropriately used by other departments. Furthermore, the fleet manager can configure questions to suit the requirements. Questions such as “Do you believe that you are wholly fit to drive this forklift?”, “Are you wearing appropriate PPE?” or “Are you under the influence of any medication?” can be included to reinforce the message that operating a potentially dangerous piece of equipment is not to be taken lightly. Accidents with forklift trucks and other industrial materials handling equipment are sadly still all too common. However, by using devices such as I.D. Systems’ holistic and customer configured pre-ops checklist features in the all-important first few minutes of a shift, fleet operators can increase risk awareness, reduce complacency and ensure the wellbeing of the workforce. THE SAFER WAY 2 SEMA 2 SEMA has been taking steps to further clarify cantilever racking code changes and formalise their “Guide to Method Statements”. 3 Dexion 3 Dexion don’t just manufacture and sell pallet racking and shelving storage systems. 3 Narrow Aisle 3 Narrow Aisle, is reminding truck users of the importance of ensuring that all operators are provided with high quality driver training. 4 Business Sprinkler Alliance 4 Changing the guidelines of the Building Regulations would benefit businesses in the UK. 4 Beaverswood 4 Frames4floors is the latest product from Beaverswood. 4 FLTA 4 The FLTA’s National Fork Truck Safety Conference will be at Loughborough University. 5 Yale 5 Yale has introduced a new ‘cheat- proof’ interlock system - ‘SmartBelt™’. 5 BAMA 5 BAMA has launched a new set of 6 warehouse posters entitled ‘Working Safely with Aerosols'. 6 Hörmann (UK) Ltd 6 Alan Jenkins, at Hörmann (UK) Ltd., discusses what measures can be taken to improve safety in the warehouse. 6 Messagemaker 6 Eye-catching LED traffic sign specialist Messagemaker has published a free Buyers Guide. 7 Briggs 7 Briggs Equipment is to exhibit at SPE Offshore Europe 2015, it will partner with Pyroban UK. 7 Sentinel Systems 7 Visitors to the Sentinel Systems stand at RWM will be able to view its wide range of advanced safety products. 8 Wagner 8 Active fire prevention with OxyReduct® based on the example of the British Library. www.id-systems.com ID SYSTEMS To start the day As the first step towards fulfilling customer orders, loading bays can be extremely busy places. But with goods, vehicles and people all converging, safety has to be paramount. Good working practises, well designed space and properly maintained equipment are the key to accident-free operations, says Tony Saunders of loading bay specialists, sara LBS. Successful companies have busy loading bays, so personnel have to be constantly alert and the equipment must operate perfectly. It follows that appropriate equipment must be provided and fitted with interlocks, light curtains, pressure pads and other safety features. Further, regular servicing and rapid repairs are essential. Perhaps less obviously, loading bays have to be well designed if they are to be safe whilst also meeting the current and future needs of the operation. Also, regular training in appropriate working practises must be carried out. At sara LBS we understand that a complete service is essential for the end user to have real peace of mind when it comes to safety and reliability. This is why we employ expert engineers who are able to work with architects and contractors to design solutions which are integrated with the rest of the building. We then supply and install our solutions and have a nationwide fleet of maintenance and repair engineers on hand for immediate after sales support. To ensure that equipment such as loading bay doors and scissors lifts are always running perfectly, a contact for regular maintenance with the manufacturer or an approved service company is the best solution. Ideally, the service engineers will be qualified to attend to all the equipment in the loading bay - regardless of manufacturer. They will also know about relevant regulations and guidelines and may offer suggestions on best working practises, new equipment, etc. Loading bay equipment tends to be robustly built so has a long working life and provides an excellent return on investment. However, much added value can be won by taking the expert advice of the manufacturers and service team. Probably the most obvious safety worry in and around loading bays is vehicle movements. Large lorries often have restricted driver visibility, particularly when reversing, but also physically close to the truck in all directions. It is an unfortunate truth that the need to unload and/or load efficiently will put both the driver and the ground personnel under pressure. Therefore it is essential that rigorous protocols are defined and maintained in relation to all vehicle movements. sara LBS ensures safety www.saralbs.co.uk saraLBS ID.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 16:56 Page 1