What are the Ways Operator Access Control or Forklift Access Control Keep Surroundings Safe
Operator access control, or forklift access control, is the ability to keep unauthorized or unwanted people from operating a lift truck. This pertains to visitors, workers and supervisors that work (or don’t work) in the facility. Seems strange to see supervisor in the list? Discussions have revealed how supervisors frequently operate forklift trucks to get something quickly done or to move the truck out of the way. However, the supervisor has not obtained their certification, giving them no authority to be on the truck, putting the company at risk.
What is Operator Access Control?
Operator access control or forklift access control denies access to those who are not certified or authorized to be on a piece of equipment such as the forklift truck. Operator access control is a recommended way to reduce access of those individuals who want to use it for work or for play. SIERA.AI has reported on teenagers breaking into a company’s yard to play on a forklift. As we all know, that did not end well. A teen was killed as a result. This may seem like a freak accident, but this type of occurrence happens frequently enough.
How Operator Access Control Protects
There are many ways operator access control works as part of SIERA.AI’s forklift safety system. Let’s begin with authorization.
Authorization of Operators
In order for a forklift operator to begin their shift, a pre-shift inspection to comply with OSHA is to log into the forklift safety system. The forklift operator will need to either enter in a 4 digit PIN number or scan a QR code in order to gain access to the lift truck. If the information is incorrect, or a unauthorized person tries to access the truck, the forklift will not start. This is one way to ensure security.
What if the Operator Fails the Inspection?
The forklift operator will go through a series of question (that you decide on). If the operator tries to answer them too quickly and answers something without fully reading or understanding it (because you have the option of randomizing sections of the checklist), and as a result, fails the inspection, the forklift will not start. Instead, a notification was sent to the supervisor alerting them that there is a forklift that has failed the inspection.
What if the Operator Gets into an Accident or Hits Something Hard?
Depending on the G-Force you set in the telemetry Dashboard, and when you want to be notified, if the forklift operator gets into an accident, you will be notified. However, let’s say the forklift driver hits the corner of a wall that exceeds your assigned G-Force, the forklift safety system will alert the driver with a message that says that they have 30, 60 or whatever timeframe you want, to move the forklift out of the way to a secure and safe space. This allows business to continue and keep the forklift, driver and others around safe.
Keeping It Quiet
You only want to hear the forklift’s running when they are scheduled to run. You only want to see the person on there that is authorized. Otherwise, you want to keep the forklift quiet. That means everyone knows that because you have a forklift safety system on there, you know nothing is going to happen during or after hours. Be safe.
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Contact us today at sales@siera.ai or call us at (512) 817 0702.