Can Forklift Protection be Automated on a Lift Truck?

Does it seem like there are more forklift protection rules than there are with driving a car? In the industrial facilities, we are constantly reminding the forklift operators and the pedestrians around them to follow the stated rules in order to stay safe. But are those the only forklift protection items that are needed in the facility? By far, the answer is no. According to OSHA’s Quick Card for Safe Forklift Operation, OSHA states that anyone who is around lift trucks such as the forklift operator and employees are at risk of hazards such as collisions, tip-overs and stuck-by conditions. With so many rules to remember and follow, are there some forklift protection items on the list that can be automated to reduce the amount of forklift protection rules to remember?

What is Forklift Protection?

Forklift protection is way to ensure the forklift, pedestrians, other equipment and the facility itself has safety measures put in place in order to reduce accidents that cause damage and injury. Forklift protection can be steel guardrails, overhead guards, fork positioner, seat belt, and blue lights to name a few. However, with technological advancements, forklift protection can now include forklift safety systems.

Automating the Forklift Protection Rules

Not all of the forklift protection rules can be automated, but many of them certainly can be with a smart, AI based forklift safety system such as SIERA.AI’s S3 Pedestrian Detection System. Let’s discover what can be automated from the OSHA Quick Card list.

• Seatbelt: The forklift safety system will detect if the seat belt is in use. If the forklift seatbelt is not, then the forklift will not go. A great way to reinforce safety.
• Be aware of other vehicles (or equipment) in the area: Our forklift safety system will detect if an object comes within a defined distance by providing the forklift operator with a visual and audio warning. The visual warning is a picture of a flashing ‘box’ so the driver knows it is an object. The same holds true for a pedestrian. A picture of a ‘human’ will flash along with the audio alarm to notify the driver that it is a person within the defined distance.
• Only trained and certified workers may operate a forklift: 1. Our forklift access control on the forklift will only function if the operator has the proper credentials to sign into the forklift safety system. If not, the forklift will not start. 2. If the forklift operator’s certification is valid, the lift truck will start. If the certification expires, the forklift will not start. 3. If the forklift operator is Class III certified, and tries to operate a Class I lift truck, the truck will not start.
• Forklift is Unsafe: On a forklift safety system, then will occur during the digital forklift inspection. To capture the most accurate information, you have the option of randomizing the questions in each inspection checklist section to ensure the important data is as accurate as possible. If the forklift fails the inspection, notification will go out to all those that need to know and the forklift will not start.

Contact Us!

Contact us today at sales@siera.ai or call us at (512) 817 0702.