Forklift Access Control for Authorization & Inspection Control

It’s so tempting. The forklift is just sitting there. It can’t be that hard to drive. After all of this experience driving a car. Just down the aisle…that’s all. Oops.

We’ve all been there. A worker in the warehouse, new employee, or the ever popular ‘I dare you’. Everyone thinks driving a forklift is fun and easy to do. It takes training, practice and still accidents happen, otherwise OSHA wouldn’t exist.

Even a forklift operator who had 10 years of experience tries to cut corners to save time. “I’ve driven this forklift before, it’s fine.” Or, “I’m late, here’s a forklift, let me get started.” As a fleet manager or plant manager, you know these behaviors only lead to costly accidents.

Forklift Access Control Systems

There are solutions in the marketplace today that help to control the access of a forklift. But somehow, it’s not fulfilling what you need at 100%. Why is that?

Standalone Keypads:
One type of system that is offered is the stand-alone keypad. It allows the use of entry combinations (PIN code) or an RFID swipe card to gain access to the forklift. If the entry is wrong, you can’t get on the forklift. If the entry is correct, you can.

It deters the person from trying to gain access to the forklift, but how do you know if anyone attempted? Even more, was the forklift inspection completed.

Feature in a System:
Another type of access control is when it’s a feature of a larger system. This type of solution provides forklift access through an access code or their work badge. It verifies that the authorized drivers have access and sometimes, even checks their certifications.

Again, it deters the person from temptation. You may gain a bit more information, but there’s something critically missing.

Forklift Access Control + Digital Inspection Checklist = Go

SIERA.AI believes access control is an opportunity to ensure the forklift operators say who they are and complete the forklift inspection. And…if the forklift inspection fails…it’ll give a warning to the operator with a set amount of seconds or minutes before coming to a stop. The best part, you’ll know as notifications are sent to you and whoever else you want to inform.

Forklift Access Control: Wait…What?

SIERA.AI is a safety company. That’s all we do. As a result, we think through the process…every possibility for error, shortcuts…and we talk to our customers in order to innovate forward-thinking solutions for safety.

Here’s how the SIERA.AI access control works on the S2 Digital Inspection and Impact Detection solution.

The forklift operator starts the process by logging into the touchscreen mounted onto the forklift. The forklift operator can either scan their work badge or enter a PIN number. Both will work, so they can choose which one is best for them.

Once logged-in, the driver will immediately be taken to the forklift digital inspection screen where the operator will begin answering the questions for OSHA compliance. Remember the paper you use, it’s now all digital so the answers are immediately captured and tracked in a web-based Dashboard. Once they complete the digital forklift inspection, the operator can begin their tasks.

Forklift Backup Camera: Let Sensors Do the Watching

Even though cameras were displaying what activity was going on in a particular area, it left the visual interpretation up to the driver. To be fully safe, the operator would need to constantly watch the camera feed….and the other two to three sides not covered by the camera. An unrealistic demand. That’s where sensors can be a better solution.

As with any technology, not all sensors are created equal. The sensors that SIERA.AI uses are constantly monitoring every 60ms in all 4 directions. The camera nor the naked eye can watch that quickly. Just like the camera, it’s capturing real-time information, but it needs something more that makes all the work the sensors are doing useful. Audio and visual alarms.

Problem #1:
An unauthorized person tries to use the forklift truck without logging in.

Solution: The individual who’s on the forklift will not be able to go anywhere without logging in and completing the forklift inspection checklist. WHY? Because the truck will not start.

Problem #2:
What if it was a forklift driver who logs-in, and takes off without completing the inspection?

Solution: If the operator did not complete the forklift inspection checklist, it will be recorded and the forklift will be disabled after a designated period of time.

Problem #3:
What if the operator completes the checklist, but fails the inspection. Will the operator be able to move forward and go on with his job?

Solution: No. If the forklift fails an inspection, the operator will be given a warning letting them know they have 30 seconds (or whatever you designate is an appropriate time) to safely park the vehicle and the forklift disables itself.

Get in Control

Eliminate unauthorized access and control incomplete and failed inspections with SIERA.AI. Now you can focus on what’s important: failed inspections so you can maximize the lifecycle of your fleet of forklifts.