After Hours: How to Control a Forklift Theft

On February 20^th, 2022, a forklift theft aided in the removal of an ATM machine in Seattle Washington. The forklift theft occurred in the evening when two men picked the lock at a grocery store opening both sides to make way for a Nissan forklift truck to pass through. As it did, the forklift driver was quite skilled in turning the tight corners in order to get to where the ATM machine was bolted to the ground. The forklift forks removed the ATM from the floor so the two additional men were able to push and pull it across the floor, out the door and into the back of a pickup truck.  Lucky for the hardware store owner who experienced the forklift theft, found his forklift in the store once the ATM was removed.

Forklift Theft – No Easy Steal

We are all in agreement that a forklift theft is no easy task. However, the story you read at the top of the article isn’t the first one to be used in a heist. In 2019, there was a forklift theft in Arizona which resulted in another stolen ATM machine. This time it was at the bank itself. What can be done to prevent the company and property from getting stolen?

Restrict Forklift Access

Let’s assume that the individual with the skills to drive a forklift truck in Seattle had access to the forklift truck…and forklift access control was installed. What can you do? The forklift driver had the correct PIN number, is authorized to drive, and you’re out of luck…right?

No, not necessarily. As the manager with access to the SIERA.AI Dashboard there are three critical ways to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

1. Go to the camera – Since this is not the right time of day, or the shift the driver was scheduled to perform his/her duties, the forklift access control will take a picture of whoever is behind the forklift controls.

2. Get a notification – If a forklift is being accessed during off hours, you can get a notification that the forklift is in use. If that is the case, then go to #3

3. Lock it – This is a great one. All that the manager needs to do is go into the Dashboard, use the Unauthorized tab and lock the asset. In this screen, you can both lock an asset as well as unlock an asset from wherever you are.

Lock Out Assets

By utilizing the lock out or forklift access control on the forklift, it will make it impossible for anyone without access to start the forklift. This will stop any worker or joyrider from doing something that can easily get them injured or killed.
This feature is critical to your facility. To ensure the safety of your facility, ensure you make this a part of your forklift safety routine so forklift theft doesn’t occur.

How to Get Started

Start today with a demo of the S3 safety system. During the demo, we’ll show you how forklift access control works. When you’re done, ask us about our special offer for simply viewing our demonstration.