Transform Your Operations with Material Handling Telematics

Forklifts are integral to material handling, but also pose significant safety risks. a wide range of cost-effective modern telematics systems and other technologies help identify unsafe behaviours, preventing costly accidents and their financial, operational, and safety impacts.

Let’s discuss some commonly overlooked safety tools for material handling – and how you can leverage them to improve safety.

1. Telematics Data

Material handling is the most frequent cause of workplace injuries, but fortunately most incidents are preventable with the proper safety measures. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that half of all severe workplace injuries go unreported. In addition, countless minor safety incidents often go unnoticed, which may signal larger underlying issues.

Telematics solutions enable businesses to automatically track impacts, speeding, and other unsafe behaviours. These systems can detect even the smallest incidents and alert managers before these lead to more serious problems. With this data, managers can retrain drivers or take corrective action before unsafe behaviours escalate.

2. Camera Systems

Operating a forklift can be challenging, especially when carrying large loads that require driving backward to maintain visibility. This constant strain can lead to fatigue, impacting operator safety and performance. Camera systems are a valuable tool in this scenario, providing drivers with comprehensive visibility. Cameras can be mounted on forklifts in strategic locations, offering enhanced visibility not just for standard operations, but also for tasks like roll handling, turret truck operation, push-pulls, side shifting, and clamping. These systems help prevent accidents, which is critical given that forklift collisions are a major cause of freight damage and inventory loss.

In addition to accident prevention, camera systems can serve as a training tool. For instance, if telematics data identifies unsafe driving, managers can replay footage to help retrain operators and improve safety practices.

3. Forewarners

Warehouses are notoriously noisy environments, where auditory cues like horns may go unheard. Blind corners, busy aisles, and other high-traffic areas pose significant risks, making it difficult to ensure the safety of both operators and pedestrians.

Forewarners and Sideliner LEDs are effective solutions for these situations, as they project a bright LED line on the floor’s surface. This alerts others to the presence and travel direction of forklifts or other industrial vehicles. These tools are also useful for overhead cranes, further enhancing safety in warehouse operations.

4. Weight Management

Overloading forklifts is a serious safety hazard that can result in significant equipment damage, lost products, and injury. Weight management systems can alert operators when loads exceed safe limits, ensuring better load distribution and minimising the risk of accidents. Even if personal injury is avoided, unbalanced or overloaded forklifts can still cause equipment failure and/or accidents.

Technology plays a critical role in ensuring the safety of forklift operations. From speed management to camera systems, these solutions can detect unsafe behaviors before they result in significant safety events.

MiX by Powerfleet provides an extensive range of material handling telematics for all sizes of powered industrial truck fleets and warehouses.

To learn more and get advice on the right safety accessories and solutions for your operations, visit www.powerfleet.com.