Achieving Zero Emissions in Construction and Agricultural equipment
Each segment of the transportation industry carries its own challenges in electrification, and some are easier to overcome than others. Personal automobiles, for example, have relatively few remaining challenges. Perhaps the biggest remaining issue for automobiles is the improvement of charging infrastructure to eliminate “range anxiety,” but there is no major technological barrier to solving this problem. Likewise, there are strong initiatives underway to address many of the medium- and heavy-duty vehicle segment challenges. Off-road equipment, such as bulldozers and agricultural tractors, come with their own distinctive and more complex challenges to solve. These can include the technological issue of big machines needing a great deal of power to fulfill their tasks; the logistical challenge of charging off-road equipment in remote working locations; and the perception – the idea held by many that electrified off-road equipment is incapable of handling the work. These challenges may not be easy to solve, but they are not insurmountable. With forward-looking and unique applications of technology, legislation, and education, these problems can be assessed and eliminated. CALSTART – a non-profit working to build a prosperous, efficient, and clean high-tech transportation industry – has commissioned a research project on zero-emission off-road equipment and the challenges faced in deploying it. A preliminary look into the report’s findings related to construction and agricultural off-road equipment is presented here, prior to the report’s full release. Electrification of Construction Equipment is Moving Forward According to CALSTART’s report, construction equipment electrification is both more achievable and desirable than agricultural equipment electrification. The reason is that it is simply easier to electrify construction equipment compared to other types of off-road vehicles. This is because most construction happens in cities, so there is less of a challenge in accessing infrastructure than with more remote off-road applications. Additionally, construction equipment is often compact compared to other off-road categories, and so the possibilities for immediate electrification using current technology are strong. There is also the added benefit of noise reduction – a significant issue in urban areas, where most construction equipment is used. In contrast, agricultural vehicles typically operate in more rural areas, where noise pollution is not always a major concern. Construction equipment market projections There is already clear evidence of progress in some areas of the construction equipment market. In the U.S.-centric example below, small excavators have made significant inroads, and have the largest market increase of all clean engine types. Fully electric small excavators made up 5% of the U.S. market in 2021, and this is expected to rise to 15% by 2029. However, while encouraging, the U.S. market penetration of this equipment is limited compared to that of other countries. Unique Challenges Facing Electrification of Agricultural Equipment Although agricultural off-road equipment accounts for only a small percentage of the harmful emissions created by the industry overall, reduction of GHG emissions wherever possible can only help to reduce air pollution and climate change effects. Internal combustion of agricultural equipment not only releases emissions harmful to humans but to the surrounding plant and wildlife in the areas in which agricultural equipment is used. (Noise pollution reduction is also appreciated by wildlife.) There are significant and multiple benefits to electrifying agricultural equipment, and there is some success already. The CALSTART report indicates that two-wheel-drive tractor sales are growing fast, with 2,726 new units projected to hit the market in 2029. Hybrid electric is also doing well (see table below). Additionally, in California, there are several electric tractor manufacturers (such as Solectrac and Monarch) producing electrified agricultural equipment to meet the needs of some of the state’s specialized agrarian pursuits, among them California’s famous vineyards and orchards. Forklifts – Early Adopters Forklift manufacturers and operators were early adopters of electrified equipment; this was largely due to the fact that forklifts often operate indoors, where workers are constantly exposed to diesel fuel emissions. Even with forklift operators embracing electric vehicles early on, internal combustion forklifts still represent a significant portion of forklift sales (33% in 2021). As regulations become more stringent, this is changing; in California, for example, a ban on the sale of all new internal combustion forklifts is expected beginning in 2025. Regulations and legislation are not the only drivers of increasing electric forklift sales. The rapidly increasing efficiency of the batteries used to power them is having a growing positive effect on sales. Lithium-ion batteries charge quickly and are very efficient, especially when compared to the less-desirable lead-acid battery. Current projections show that lithium-ion batteries will make up more than 60% of the total electrified forklift market by 2029. Electrified forklifts are also proving the efficiency of hydrogen fuel cell technology, with over 10,000 units expected to ship in 2029. The Challenges Facing Construction and Agricultural Equipment Of course, forklifts are only one example of off-road equipment; there are still serious challenges to achieving this same success with agricultural and construction equipment. One of these challenges is perception. Many stakeholders across these industries assume that an electrically powered machine will not be able to perform to the level of their internal combustion counterparts – even when it has been shown that those electric vehicles can indeed do so. There is also the concern that charging these vehicles out in the remote regions in which they operate will be a problem. This concern is not limited to agricultural equipment; construction equipment, usually located in urban or suburban locales, can also face charging challenges since construction sites are often cramped and difficult to navigate. Finally, although battery technology is, as pointed out above, continually and rapidly improving, the problem of duty cycles is a big consideration. Both agricultural and construction equipment often sit idle for long periods and then can be suddenly called upon to operate intensively for many hours. The batteries that power these vehicles must be able to endure these long downtimes and still have sufficient charge left to accomplish the work their internal combustion counterparts are called upon to do, without needing to recharge during the workday. Solving These Challenges With the Beachhead
OSHA Safe + Sound Week registration is now open
Safe + Sound Week registration is open! Join thousands of businesses who are recognizing their commitment to workplace safety and health. Organizations of all sizes and industries are welcome to participate. Visit the Safe + Sound Week webpage to sign up to participate, and for ideas on planning and promoting your event. Register Now! The Safe + Sound Week is August 15 – 21, 2022. At the core of every effective safety and health program is a systematic process for finding and fixing workplace hazards, which includes conducting inspections to identify new or emerging hazards that could lead to injury or illness. Looking for an activity to complete during Safe + Sound Week? Consider taking the Eyes on Safety challenge: Plan your safety walkaround. Conduct your safety walkaround. Prioritize the hazards you found. Download your challenge coin and use the hashtags #EyesOnSafetyand #SafeAndSoundAtWorkon social media to show you participated in the challenge.
DHS S&T awards funds to Kansas City Startup Developing Wearable Tech, Mitigating heat-related injuries
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) announced a Phase 1 Other Transaction award of $161,600 to Kenzen, Inc., a Kansas City, Missouri, based company to develop wearable technology that helps prevent heat-related injuries for DHS personnel who work in extreme weather conditions. Under its Human Performance and Resiliency solicitation, S&T’s Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP) sought groundbreaking solutions to identify and resolve issues before reaching crisis levels and to promote resilience and wellness tools that could serve the mission needs of DHS components and programs, including the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). “Heat illness remains a real problem for DHS employees who routinely work in extreme environments, including along the southern border,” said Melissa Oh, managing director of SVIP. “Technologies that will help our agents know when they are approaching critical conditions by accurately monitoring important physiological metrics like core body temperature levels will have a huge impact in reducing the number of heat-related injuries and keeping our staff safe, even in extreme conditions.” As part of the first applicants to receive an award under this topic call, Kenzen, Inc., a women-founded and led company, developed a heat illness prevention solution that uses a combination of a wearable sensor and advanced analytics to identify and alert users to changes in core body temperature and other specific factors. This information identifies heat stress so wearers can take preventative measures sooner, reducing the risk of serious illness. “Kenzen’s technology will safeguard the wellness of our agents who often find themselves in unpredictable environments throughout their workdays,” said Jeremy Ocheltree, deputy director of the Customs and Border Protection Innovation Team. “This type of innovative tech could protect our employees and save lives.” This solicitation complements current DHS employee wellness programs by including innovative technologies with a high degree of usability to support real-time wellness monitoring. Kenzen’s heat-stress mitigation solution could deliver important information to DHS users working in extreme heat environments, addressing a critical health challenge that impacts the DHS mission.
Creator of Pallet Drop Safety Gates James M. Conway dies at 80
Mezzanine Safeti-Gates, Inc., an innovator in the design and manufacturing of pallet drop safety gates that provide fall protection in material handling and manufacturing facilities, distribution centers, and warehouses, is honoring the life of its founder, James M. Conway, who died peacefully at home on May 23, 2022. As a salesman and owner of Speedrack Distribution, he found a calling in the material handling industry. He started Mezzanine Safeti-Gates in 1982, bringing the first dual-gate safety system for fall protection, the Roly® safety gate to market. Conway then went on to design many other safety gate models, including the Pivot, Tri-Side, Rack Supported and Open Top Models, receiving a number of patents for his safety gate designs. From the start of Mezzanine Safeti-Gates, James designed and sold safety gate solutions for the material handling and manufacturing industries throughout North America and beyond. He had transitioned to a more consulting role in recent years, but worked until the morning of his death, finally retiring from the industry he loved. Born in Lynn, Massachusetts, Conway was not only an entrepreneur but a family man who believed strongly in the value of education. After completing an Associate Mechanical Engineering degree from Wentworth Institute, he continued his education earning a Bachelor of Science from Northeastern University, an MBA from Babson University, and Juris Doctor from the University of Suffolk. Conway was a proud veteran of the United States Army and was stationed in Germany with the 620th Engineer Company. He then served in Fort Benning Georgia with the First Infantry Brigade before retiring from service. “It is never easy to lose a colleague, especially in a family business,” said Aaron Conway, president of Mezzanine Safeti-Gates, Inc. “We lost a material handling safety industry pioneer, and are very fortunate to have had the leadership and keen insight of my father, James for so long. Chris and I have been proud to work alongside him for many years, and look forward to continuing and expanding the legacy that he has left behind in the safety gate industry.” James is buried in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts.
Just what the knees need
Brass Knuckle® knee pads for heavy- and light-duty work help protect against injury and extend careers When jobs literally bring workers to their knees, appropriate knee pads are critical. It’s about a lot more than comfort, too. It’s about protecting against musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and extending careers. Jobs that rely on kneeling to perform tasks – think construction, roofing, masonry, and others – can put workers at significant risk for MSDs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, MSDs are the most common injuries reported in these occupations. Personal protective equipment (PPE) in the form of knee pads can help reduce the risk of injury and minimize joint fatigue. Brass Knuckle®, an innovative leader in PPE, offers two levels of knee protection with BKKN100 Light-Duty and BKKN200 Heavy-Duty. Brass Knuckle BKKN100 Light-Duty is an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), cushioned, and adjustable knee pad. One-size-fits-all for convenience, a single strap with hook-and-loop closure easily customizes fit to keep the pad in place for hours of lightweight comfort and protection. Brass Knuckle BKKN200 Heavy-Duty provides all-day protection with a hard, contoured polyethylene cap. The knee pad conforms to the shape of the knee cap to enhance patella stability and reduce risks of impact and injury. It’s high-level protection for tough jobs. The rounded, abrasion-resistant cap allows for safer pivoting and heavy-duty work on the knees while foam padding throughout maximizes wearer comfort. It also is one size with an adjustable strap to keep the pad where it should be. Both knee pads offer choice by providing excellent protection, flexibility, and comfort suited to light-duty or heavy-duty applications. Ideal for working while kneeling on the ground or on hard surfaces and for impact protection in every industry, the Brass Knuckle line helps ensure excellent protection for cement work, flooring installation, roof work, and more.
Trainmor
APTIM recognized with 48 Safety Awards from the National Safety Council
APTIM, a global industry provider in program and construction management for critical infrastructure, received 48 safety awards from the National Safety Council (NSC) in 2021. The awards honor APTIM’s company-wide commitment to safety and recognize its work on coastal restoration and resiliency in Louisiana, as well as program and construction management for the U.S. military. “At APTIM, safety is our number one priority. These awards are a testament to our teammates’ dedication to holding themselves and each other accountable, promoting APTIM’s safety culture, and empowering one another to make the right decision – even if it isn’t always the easiest one,” said APTIM Senior Vice President, Health, Safety, Environmental, & Quality Jeff Thompson. “To put it plainly: If we can’t do it safely, we won’t do it.” Each year, NSC – America’s leading nonprofit safety advocate focusing on eliminating the leading causes of preventable death while on worksites – recognizes organizations helping make communities, workplaces, and roads in the U.S. safer. In 2021, the NSC awarded APTIM: 36 Perfect Record Awards for completing a period of at least 12 consecutive months without incurring an occupational injury or illness that resulted in days away from work or death; 10 Safety Leadership Awards for achieving five or more consecutive years without an occupational injury or illness resulting in days away from work; and two Million Hour Awards for completing a period of at least one million consecutive work hours without an occupational injury or illness resulting in days away from work. The NSC highlighted two of APTIM’s projects for the awards above. The Coastwide Reference Monitoring System project took place between February 2004 and June 2021. APTIM provided extensive coastal science and engineering capabilities, program and construction management, and resilience expertise to help restore and protect Louisiana coastlines. The High Desert Support Services project took place between January 2013 and June 2021. APTIM lead the joint venture supporting Fort Irwin, Calif., with program and construction management for military personnel, as well as key operational and training facilities. “At APTIM, we choose to ‘be for’ our teammates every day. The most important way to do this is to behave and work in ways that protect the health and well-being of others. We empower our APTIM team to work safely, and we support them in their efforts without exception,” says APTIM Chairman and CEO Mark Fallon. At APTIM, safety is not just a goal; it is a culture – an entire way of doing business. APTIM conducts business with honesty and honor to promote the safety and security of its people while preserving the environment and maintaining the quality of its work. The APTIM team lives its values by leading and empowering its workforce to be incident-free, involving employees in decisions to identify and manage risks, as well as providing programs and training to promote and enhance its safety culture.
Don’t tolerate fog and UV rays – Spike Them!
Brass Knuckle®’s new Spike (BKADJ-5060AFP) eye protection combines a two-pronged strategy for vision protection with a legion of comfort features for the ultimate in customizable, long-wear glasses. Check out this abundance of leading features: the best anti-fog protection in the world, the highest UV protection available, and custom comfort at the temples, nose, and brow. As part of Brass Knuckle’s new anti-fog collection, of course, Spike has BK-Anti-Fog+. It’s a groundbreaking technology that’s fused directly to the lens, not simply sprayed on, to deliver better and longer-lasting fog-free protection than that of competitive anti-fog coated products. The toughest anti-fog standard in the world is the EN 166/168 standard, and this crushes it. Add to that ANSI Z87.1/U6 ultraviolet protection, the highest standard in the world, to eliminate 99.99% of damaging UV rays. This is one Spike that’s great for the eyes! Finally, loads of extra features create an easily customizable fit for virtually any face. The star of the show is a five-step angle-adjustable temple. Earpieces ratchet up and down with a five-click adjustable temple joint for the ultimate in a custom fit. It has to be seen to be believed. Also, floating, reinforced-rubber nosepieces conform to the bridge of the nose, an integrated soft brow guard brings greater fit, and soft rubber at the ends of earpieces adds extra flexibility and all-day wearability. Plus, the rimless lenses and green/black zebra striping look plain cool. With Spike, workers never have to sacrifice style for the ultimate in custom comfort and protection.
KEEN Utility Women’s San Jose Waterproof work boot
New for Summer 2022, KEEN Utility updates the brand’s fan-favorite women’s San Jose work boot, built for the unique fit needs of today’s tradeswoman. Now available in a waterproof option, this all-leather work boot works hard from clock-in to clock-out and beyond and offers the safety, performance, and comfort features the brand is known for. A KEEN.LUFT cell comfort midsole provides air-infused comfort with nearly 100,000 air bubbles per cubic centimeter providing all-day comfort and helping to reduce foot fatigue over time. The boot features an EH-rated, slip-resistant outsole that disperses liquids underfoot quickly for better surface area contact satisfying ASTM and SATRA non-slip testing standards. The San Jose also features a roomier toe box and unobtrusive, asymmetrical aluminum safety toe caps that are 35% lighter than steel. Leveraging the insights and real work experience from women across multiple trades and backgrounds, the San Jose is part of the KEEN Utility Tradeswomen Tested program that puts women’s safety styles through their paces from initial concept to production, in the field and on the feet of tradeswomen. The women’s San Jose waterproof work boot is ideal for a variety of indoor and outdoor work environments including warehouses, transportation, light manufacturing, and carpentry
Propane Council discusses Forklift Safety Regulations during Forklift Safety Month
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is hosting a new webinar focused on Forklift Safety as part of its Propane Presents Technology Series beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, June 23, 2022. June is a time for the industry to focus on forklift safety and with so many material handling professionals relying on propane forklifts, it’s a good time to remember why propane forklifts are beneficial and how to remain safe during operation. Propane-powered forklifts have a wide range of uses and when compared with battery electric forklifts, they reduce costs while improving efficiency and air quality. “Learn how to keep your company and employees safe by learning about regulations and best practices that improve safety for propane-powered forklifts,” said Eric Kuster, Vice President, Safety, Education, and Compliance at PERC. “We will discuss how propane marketers can serve as leaders in their communities to see that important safety practices are followed when handling propane cylinders.” Jim Rushing from Energy Distribution Partners, Mike Gioffre from American Cylinder Exchange, along with Randy Warner of Cavagna North America will join PERC to discuss the latest in codes, regulations, and operational practices that will keep customers, forklift users, and teams safe. Propane-powered forklifts offer 100 percent, reliable, consistent power during operation. Propane forklifts can typically operate for a full eight-hour shift on one tank fill, whereas electric forklift operators may need to switch out the battery during a shift. Additionally, the purchase price of an electric forklift is 30 percent higher than that of a propane-powered one. Electric forklifts often require the costly installation of battery charging stations, which must be in a designated area of the facility. “The industry is working to improve efficiencies while meeting emission standards, and propane does just that,” said Kuster. Click here to register for the webinar.
Yale releases updated videos as part of new operator training program
Coinciding with National Forklift Safety Day, Yale Materials Handling Corporation just released original training videos as part of the new Yale Operator Training Program. The new videos help high-intensity warehouses take control of their lift truck operator training, using enhanced adult learning techniques to support engagement and comprehension. Material is divided into shorter sections and broken up into hands-on learning periods to help improve comprehension and keep learners engaged. Updated, modern graphics present critical information in a familiar visual format and at a pace that supports a wide range of adult learner types. “As warehouse labor turnover reaches nearly 50% annually, getting new hires up and running with comprehensive lift truck training at scale becomes even more essential – but can also be more difficult to manage,” says Evelyn Velasquez-Cuevas, Product Sales and Technical Training Director, Yale Materials Handling Corporation. “Our goal with the Yale Operator Training Program is to arm participating dealers with everything they need to relieve the burden on customers’ in-house training resources, speed up operator onboarding processes, and help support safety efforts.” The OSHA lift truck certification process is composed of three parts – formal instruction, practical training, and operator evaluation. The video content fulfills most truck-related topics in the formal instruction component of OSHA certification requirements. The videos are available through participating dealers in the nationwide Yale® dealer network, who can also offer additional training to satisfy full certification requirements. Equipment-specific product orientation videos for Yale®’s electric narrow aisle warehouse lift trucks are also currently available through the training program, accessible by scanning QR codes on equipment. Operations can also supplement their training with virtual reality forklift simulators from Yale that provide an immersive experience for operators to practice in a realistic, yet controlled environment. To learn more about the Yale Operator Training Program, click here.
Hyster releases updated operator training program on National Forklift Safety Day
Hyster announces completely redesigned training videos for the newly updated Hyster® Operator Training Program, set for release Tuesday, June 14 in conjunction with National Forklift Safety Day (NFSD). Thoughtfully developed with contemporary adult learning methodologies, the videos help fast-paced operations level up their lift truck operator training and staff up quickly to keep pace with demand. “We live in a social media-driven world, with people used to getting smaller bites of information quickly and easily,” says Roger Keys, Sales Trainer, Hyster Company. “These modern training videos are designed to help contemporary learners engage with the material and ultimately better comprehend the essential skills and knowledge they need to be an effective lift truck operator. And as the industry observes NFSD this week, what better time to highlight the importance of training forklift operators?” The Hyster Operator Training Program offers a fast-paced learning process, with shorter video sections interspersed with hands-on learning to keep trainees engaged. The videos also equip businesses to consistently deliver instruction on key topics across several training classes and trainers. This consistency is especially attractive to busy manufacturers and other operations that must scale up on lift truck operators quickly due to turnover or seasonal upticks, without overburdening in-house training resources. The new training videos fulfill most lift truck-related topics in the formal instruction component of OSHA lift truck certification requirements. The videos are available through participating Hyster® dealers, who can also offer training resources for full OSHA certification. Learn more about the Hyster Operator Training Program here.
EP 288: Safety with Toyota Material Handling
In this episode, I was joined by Paige Johnson and Dixon Churchill of Toyota Material Handling North America. Paige and Dixon are both a part of the environmental health and safety team at Toyota’s Indiana facility where they manufacture material handling equipment. We discuss their safety culture, how they have reduced injuries by 59% and how they continue to improve their safety culture. Key Takeaways Toyota is a well-known company for its many divisions but in our industry, we know of their forklifts which fall under the material handling division. They are also very well known for their culture which is constantly studied and many times has tried to be replicated. For this episode, we focus on their safety culture and how they are able to maintain continuous improvement in that area. As you will hear in the episode, they have been able to implement some very interesting ideas for maintaining safety and they have also seen some great results. Paige and Dixon discuss how safety always comes first at Toyota and how it is the first part of their meetings every single day. This is how they are able to keep the safety culture so ingrained in the employee’s minds. Additionally, they have a safety dojo where they are able to review safety training and even re-enact safety incidents that may have occurred so all employees can understand the incident and how to prevent it. They also have a dedicated section of the manufacturing plant which is used to do training on their material handling equipment. This allows the operators to learn how to use the equipment in a controlled environment. The investments in these things show the importance that Toyota puts on safety. One of their most recent safety developments is their on-site medical staff that helps the team to understand how certain injuries can occur and help those that may get injured from having reoccurring injuries. Through this addition, they have been able to reduce their safety incidents dramatically and have the employees understand how their bodies can react to certain things. With the medical team on-site and a gym on-site, they are able to give new hires a week of training in the gym to help them understand what part of their bodies will be utilized in their job. This helps to build those areas so that the potential of injury can be greatly reduced. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 288: Safety with Toyota Material Handling
Session with OSHA’s Parker added to Safety 2022 in Chicago
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) welcomes Doug Parker, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health, to a special general session at Safety 2022 in Chicago. Parker will attend in person to discuss the latest activities and future plans of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to protect workers across the country. The newly added Q&A session to ASSP’s annual conference and exposition at McCormick Place will start at 8 a.m. CT on Wednesday, June 29, in front of thousands of workplace safety and health professionals, including online attendees who will watch the live stream from Chicago. Parker was sworn in as the 13th assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health on Nov. 3. He will be interviewed on stage about many issues facing OSHA, including the pandemic, heat stress, recordkeeping, enforcement, falls from height, OSHA’s staffing goals, and safety and health management systems. The special session with Parker will be part of a dynamic three-day program designed to inform and inspire attendees of ASSP’s signature event, held June 27-29. Safety 2022 is the 61st annual conference of the world’s oldest professional safety organization. The event returns to Chicago for the first time since the Society celebrated its 100th anniversary there in 2011. ASSP is headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge. ASSP will live stream five major sessions from Safety 2022 so in-person and online attendees experience them together in real-time. The broad access to Safety 2022 programming will enable safety and health professionals around the world to conveniently grow their career development and elevate safety in their organizations. The safety and health of everyone at the convention center remain a priority. Under ASSP’s on-site safety plan, attendees must provide proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours of badge pick-up. ASSP continues to track public health guidance and may revise its protocols as the event draws closer. Safety 2022 attendees can register online, with groups of eight or more from the same company qualifying for a discount. Stay informed of the latest conference news and safety and health protocols at safety.assp.org.
Toyota Material Handling reinforces culture of operator safety on National Forklift Safety Day
Toyota Material Handling (TMH) is celebrating National Forklift Safety Day 2022 by reinforcing the importance of creating and maintaining a culture of safety for forklift operators. In 2021, the North American material handling industry exceeded 330,000 unit sales, an all-time record. The exponential growth will require more operators in different settings, making operator safety training more important than ever before. The number of forklift operators in the US has risen to 4.5 million, and they – along with the pedestrians around them – deserve a safe work environment. To promote operator safety training, Toyota Material Handling is offering free site survey audits to recognize and support each operation’s unique needs. “The operator is the most important component of a forklift. Training and investing in these individuals is paramount, even for the most seasoned operators,” said Tom Lego, Toyota Material Handling Brand Ambassador. “There is always something new in this industry because each setting is unique and different. We create great trucks for many different settings using the best technology, but we find that proper training and ample opportunities to hone the skills of these essential workers are the most important investments in forklift safety.” National Forklift Safety Day, sponsored by the Industrial Truck Association, is an annual event that serves as the focal point for forklift manufacturers to educate customers, policymakers, and government officials about the safe use of forklifts and the importance of proper operator training. With involvement in National Forklift Safety Day since the inaugural event in 2014, Toyota Material Handling continues to innovate with product features to help support operators. Toyota’s Smart Environment Sensor (SEnS) uses advanced technology that, in certain environments, can assist operators in identifying a pedestrian or object behind their forklift. If within a detectible range, a buzzer and four indicator lights will alert the operator that a pedestrian or object is within a certain range of the rear of the forklift. Toyota’s revolutionary System of Active Stability (SAS)™ helps reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, minimizes the potential for product and equipment damage, and increases overall productivity levels. SAS senses various factors that lead to lateral instability and potential lateral overturn. When those conditions are detected, SAS instantly engages the Swing Lock Cylinder to stabilize the rear axle, changing the forklift’s stability footprint from triangular to rectangular. The resulting increase in stability reduces the likelihood of a lateral overturn. These features, however, should not be viewed as a substitute for operator safety training. “I appreciate that all those involved with National Forklift Safety Day are trying to move the whole industry forward,” Lego said. “Operators are the gears that keep products moving. Everything we use throughout a day has been moved by a forklift at some point in the supply chain, and it’s great to see this profession recognized and respected.” Toyota Material Handling is committed to building a culture of safety today and every day. As part of this pledge to prioritize safety, Toyota dealers are helping their customers’ material handling fleet operators by offering free up-to-date safety audits, consultations, and training. Operator training is also available on request from any one of the more than 230 Toyota dealer locations in the US. TMH also created a resource library of forklift safety information that can be accessed by visiting ToyotaForklift.com/Forklift-Safety.
Ergodyne’s Aerial Bucket Series takes dangerously confined elevated worksites into a new class of safety, organization and efficiency
Ergodyne announced the launch of an all-new Aerial Bucket Series designed specifically for safer, easier work in bucket trucks and elevated work platforms. The collection features a tool board and tool bag—each engineered with extensive worker feedback and boasting a multitude of pockets and ANSI-approved tethering points for securely storing and safely accessing tools in confined work spaces. A durable aerial bucket hook for mounting the new solutions is also included. “For workers in bucket trucks and elevated worksites, every inch counts. But using a container that isn’t designed specifically for the space can actually cause more harm than good—creating a dangerous trip and drop hazards,” said Matt Hahn, Ergodyne Product Manager. “These solutions were made specifically with aerial buckets in mind, with ANSI 121-approved tethering points and durable easy-to-attach designs.” Adopted in 2018, the ANSI 121 standard is the first ever to establish best practices for tethering and transporting tools and equipment. Given their expertise in the category, Ergodyne worked closely with the International Safety Equipment Association on its development. “This new series is an opportunity for us to put our extensive knowledge of dropped object prevention toward helping an entire class of workers perform their jobs more safely and efficiently,” said Tom Votel, Ergodyne President & CEO. “There’s a lot more to come here, and we’re excited to continue bringing new innovations to this category.”
Raymond celebrates National Forklift Safety Day with launch of next-generation Raymond Virtual Reality Simulator
A scalable virtual reality teaching tool features a wireless HTC VIVE Focus™ 3 headset for a more immersive learning experience As a proud supporter of the ninth National Forklift Safety Day, The Raymond Corporation is committed to prioritizing forklift operator education and providing intelligent warehouse solutions that help customers create a culture of continuous improvement and boost overall facility well-being. Along with National Forklift Safety Day, The Raymond Corporation will be celebrating its 100th anniversary and launch of its next-generation Virtual Reality (VR) Simulator. The first of its kind in the industry, Raymond’s award-winning VR Simulator is a flexible, scalable teaching tool that uses the latest immersive technology to bring new hires up to proficiency more quickly and to continually expand operator skills for reduced turnover. The updated VR Simulator is designed for optimum usability and performance with a smaller, lighter case for easier maneuverability and setup, as well as the award-winning HTC® VIVE Focus 3 wireless all-in-one VR headset for enhanced operator performance, comfort, and longer immersive sessions. The simulator uses training modules that build on themselves to help operators reach higher proficiency levels faster and feel more confident before reaching the warehouse floor. “Raymond continues to build on its 100-year history of innovation and continuous improvement to create solutions that help customers take meaningful action by optimizing, connecting, and automating with technologies and training solutions that, together, help reinforce operator best practices,” said Michael Field, president and CEO of The Raymond Corporation. “We are excited to build on our history and continue to provide industry-leading education and training programs for our customers.” Additional in-person and e-learning education programs Raymond offers include: Safety On The Move® — a comprehensive and modular operator training program that introduces best practices for warehouse environments to help protect employees, equipment, and materials while complying with OSHA requirements. Steps To Safety™: Pedestrian Safety in a Material Handling Environment — a training program that assists in teaching pedestrians how to act responsibly in environments where lift trucks are in operation, emphasizing the importance of operators and pedestrians working together to create a safe environment. For more information on Raymond’s National Forklift Safety Day, next-generation Virtual Reality Simulator, and a suite of in-person and e-learning training programs and tools, click here. More information and updates about National Forklift Safety Day will also be available on the International Truck Association website: www.indtrk.org/national-forklift-safety-day.
EP 284: TAWI
In this episode, I was joined by the Senior Regional Sales Manager at TAWI, Cyrus Choy. TAWI is focused on helping you lift things by making them feel like nothing through vacuum technology. We discuss the origins of TAWI and how their technology helps to address safety concerns and the labor shortage. Key Takeaways TAWI is a Swedish-based company that has roots dating back to the 1970s when they first invented vacuum lift technology. At the flour mills in Sweden, they recognized that lifting 110-pound bags of flour, sugar and other ingredients was very taxing on the worker and also very limiting to the type of worker that could be hired. As they looked at this they realized they needed a better solution to help them lift these bags and that is when they came up with the vacuum technology. TAWI’s vacuum technology has the ability to make your items feel like they are weightless making them much easier to move around. One big issue with heavy packages and products is that they can be very cumbersome to lift and have a high potential to cause injury to those who are lifting them. Not only is weight an issue but also the ability to grab items at the right position. We discuss how maximizing container space can be a potential hazard to unloading. As you are unloading packages from the top of a container it can be very difficult to get a proper grip and do a proper lift on these items. When you utilize a vacuum lift device from TAWI it makes the item essentially weightless so that it can easily be moved around in any position. Allowing this freedom of movement is ideal for preventing strains and other types of injuries that can occur from improper lifting techniques. Not only does the TAWI vacuum lifting technology help to reduce the number of injuries in your operation, but it can also help to address some of your staffing issues. Cyrus discusses how oftentimes companies that deal in heavy material need to hire employees who can handle this heavy material and even then they will still be exhausted and not have a great work environment. When you take the weight out of the items you are now able to have anyone move that material around which expands your potential labor pool. Cyrus shares some examples of how this has benefited the flexibility of certain positions and paid off in happier employees as the technology was introduced. Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 284: TAWI
Safety Systems & Controls adds Nomad X to pace-one zone speed control product line
With addressing customers’ desire to protect individuals at forklift crossings, Safety Systems & Controls has expanded its Nomad RF transmitter with a transceiver option. Nomad X is mounted on each side of a pedestrian crossing. It can be mounted on a crossing gate, pedestrian barrier, or standalone support. Each Nomad X consists of a mounting box containing a PC Board with internal timer, push-button, battery and pilot light (LED).” Corky Bynum, VP of Safety Systems & Controls, explains how the new feature works and the benefits of the new design. Bynum states, “Nomad X is activated by depressing a push-button on the mounting box. This powers Nomad X and generates an RF signal that slows Pace-One-equipped vehicles AND wakens the Nomad X on the opposite side of the crosswalk. In addition to slowing travel speeds, the LEDs on both boxes flash as visual indicators that Nomad X is activated. The activation time is programmable on the Nomad X circuit board. With this design, we have slower travel speeds or optional forced STOP (electric trucks) at crosswalks but only when there are pedestrians present. This continues SSC’s design initiative of improving safety and doing so with minimal effects to productivity.”
Two safety experts honored as ASSP Fellows
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), the world’s oldest professional safety organization, is bestowing the honor of Fellow on two longtime members who have made significant contributions to the occupational safety and health profession. Joel Haight and Pam Walaski are the 2022 recipients of the Society’s highest honor. “ASSP Fellows are influential leaders in safety and have played key roles in improving workplace environments as well as the profession itself,” said ASSP President Brad Giles, P.E., CSP, STS, FASSP, GIOSH. “The career accomplishments of Joel and Pam in helping to prevent injuries, illnesses, and fatalities are a true inspiration.” Joel Haight, Ph.D., P.E., CSP, CIH, FASSP, is a professor of industrial engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, where he conducts research on topics such as human factors engineering, biomechanics, and safety engineering. He has been an ASSP member since 1985 and served on the Society’s Board of Directors from 2018-21. Haight has published more than 70 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles, book chapters, and proceedings papers. “Joel has contributed significantly to the evidence-based body of knowledge for the safety profession, evident through peer-reviewed published works and conference presentations conducted around the world,” said Kathy Seabrook, CSP, CFIOSH, EurOSHM, FASSP, past Society president. “One of his greatest accomplishments is bridging the gap between the disciplines of business, management, engineering, and workplace safety and health.” Haight is editor of three editions of “The Safety Professionals Handbook,” a key resource for practicing safety professionals. He mentors students and helps them enter the workforce through his professional collaborations in many industries. Haight also provides consultation and training to businesses on process safety management, root-cause analysis, and human factors engineering. His work has led to thousands of people being safer on the job. Pam Walaski, CSP, FASSP, is the senior program director for Specialty Technical Consultants Inc. and an adjunct faculty member for the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) Safety Sciences Department. She will become ASSP’s senior vice president on the Board of Directors on July 1, serving as the Society’s president from 2024-25. Walaski is a published author and widely respected speaker and safety trainer who has been an ASSP member since 2003. “Pam is a national expert in risk management, and her contributions to the field are exceptional,” said Dr. Tracey Cekada, CSP, professor and chair of the IUP Safety Sciences Department. “Pam has made a positive impact on more than 200 students in the classroom who will become the safety professionals of tomorrow. Her class is demanding, but students rate her as excellent and say her real-life examples significantly help their learning.” Walaski is a driving force behind the expansion of the safety profession. She helped build a donation to the ASSP Foundation that exceeded $55,000 for recurring student scholarships through the Western Pennsylvania Chapter. Her trip to China in 2010 brought new colleagues into the Society while growing its diversity. And as an early adopter of social media, Walaski uses the platforms to broadly promote occupational safety and health careers. The new Fellows will be honored at ASSP’s Safety 2022 Professional Development Conference and Exposition, held June 27-29 in Chicago. The global event will bring together thousands of safety professionals to learn about best practices, industry trends, and the latest product innovations in the occupational safety and health field. The honor of Fellow recognizes an ASSP member’s lifetime commitment, achievement, and leadership in occupational safety and health. Nominees must have a history of major contributions to the profession for at least 15 years. To see the Society’s list of Fellows dating back more than 50 years, visit ASSP Fellow recipients.