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Preparations are well under way for the FLTA Safety Conference 2007, which will be staged at Warwick University on 27th September

Firmly established as a major annual event in the materials handling calendar, the FLTA Safety Conference’s aim is - as ever - to present practical solutions to issues directly affecting fork lift truck users. Its content addresses topics on which fork lift users most frequently ask for advice - and when the event is over they are ready to go back to their sites and start making immediate improvements.

This year’s main theme is ‘a safe site’, and the presentations will give clear, concise, practical information on how to achieve it.

Full details of the programme will be issued later this year.

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Fitting and using appropriate safety equipment can save money in potential fines, advises Invicta Forks and Attachments

Invicta is the largest UK manufacturer of mechanical fork attachments and has 85 years’ engineering experience behind it. So its concern about the level of health and safety knowledge in British industry is not to be ignored. Director Peter Sharpe is keen to stress the importance of education whenever possible: ‘At Invicta we’re proactive as far as health and safety education is concerned’.

‘Some might call it scare tactics - I call it awareness tactics’.

‘There are some worrying knowledge gaps out there and it’s time they were addressed’.

While Sharpe acknowledges that the market has become more safety-conscious over the last decade, he says there’s still much to be done and cites a recent visit to a major sportswear firm: ‘Employees were sent eight metres up in to the air - on a pallet! It didn’t take much in the way of education to help them realise that the relatively small cost of a safety cage was almost irrelevant when weighed against the potential hefty fines from the HSE.

The intrepid employees also seemed very happy with the idea of a safety cage!’ His message is clear: fitting and using appropriate safety equipment doesn’t only tick the right boxes from the HSE’s perspective, it can also save you a huge amount of money in potential fines and bad publicity.

The fork-mounted Access Platform is a relatively simple product that can provide enormous safety benefits.
Further reading

Improved safety for conveyors at docking bays
New RollerTrack from Caljan Rite-Hite

Safe site is priceless.
The Fork Lift Truck Association is offering a set of money-saving discount vouchers to help truck owners and operators make their working environment a site safe

Fork Lift Truck Association Safety Conference
Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) Safety Conference 2007 27th September 2007, Warwick University

Access platforms give a proven and safe area from which to carry out routine maintenance, inspection and stocktaking.

Although access platforms should have multiple features to maximise operator safety, many companies do away with these in order to keep the price down.

Invicta platforms all feature toe-boards, finger mesh and non-slip floors and are fully compliant with PM28/third edition.

Another simple attachment to help maximise safety and efficiency around the warehouse is The Basil - an innovatively-designed sweeper that can be quickly and easily fitted to a fork-lift truck.

The attachment’s nine replaceable bristle strips can be swapped around the steel housing to ensure even wear and maximise lifespan (around 400 miles each, that’s an impressive working life of six to eight years).

The Basil also has a left- and right-hand sweep option for clearing roads and pathways and there will soon be a magnet attachment available for the front.

With two widths (1500 and 2400mm), The Basil is ideal for a wide range of applications, from builders’ merchants and timber yards to garden centres and logistics companies.

Leeds-based Invicta has more than 25 product lines for the industrial and construction markets, although the versatility of its products makes them applicable to many other industries.

From tipping skips and work platforms to lifting jibs and drum handling equipment, there is a product to cope with most requirements.

More specialised items such as scissor grabs and fly jibs are also part of Invicta’s normal range.

Also, as a manufacturer itself, the company has the ability to design, fabricate and test bespoke fork-lift attachments to meet customers’ specific requirements.

‘There are times when you go on-site and realise what they want to do is impossible in terms of truck limitations,’ admits Peter Sharpe, ‘But most of the time it’s just a case of working out what’s required and making it happen with a safe and practical solution.’ Whether the challenge is to handle a load, move it or unload it, Invicta is confident of its ability to provide the right attachment to carry out the task safely.

Invicta has recently completed an extension to its plant, adding three new fabrication bays to the 14 already operating around the clock.

It has also added more warehouse space to house finished products.

The company is increasingly winning business on its combined strengths of product quality, reliability of service and fast delivery and Peter Sharpe intends to keep it that way.

With more staff being recruited and a revamped website displaying full product information, Sharpe believes that Invicta’s reputation is growing steadily and is a name worth remembering for quality fork-lift attachments.

He says, ‘As a company, we’re obviously doing all we can to inform and educate the market about our products and services’.

‘However, as part of that overall campaign, we shall continue to make sure that fork truck users are aware of how quality attachments can make a very real contribution to safe working practices.’

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/ilp/ilp100.html

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Factory owners should realise that fork lift truck ‘inspections’ may not meet the legal requirements for a ‘Thorough Examination’

Fork lift industry leaders have warned that some truck users may be unintentionally breaking the law by confusing ‘inspections’ with legally obligatory Thorough Examinations. Chairman of Consolidated Fork Truck Services (CFTS), Brian Tyrer, said: ‘A variety of ‘inspections’ can be carried out on your fork lift trucks by different people but not all of them fulfil the law’s requirement for ‘Thorough Examination”.

CFTS is the organisation founded as a collaboration between materials handling’s two major industry trade associations - the fork lift truck Association (FLTA) and the British Industrial Truck Association (BITA) - to develop and administer that industry’s national accreditation scheme for Thorough Examination.

‘Service engineers, insurance inspectors and specialist inspection companies might all inspect your equipment and give you an inspection report.

Whether that document counts as a Report of Thorough Examination is a vitally important question that the user must ask,’ said Tyrer.

‘An inspection as part of a preventive maintenance scheme or scheduled service is not a Thorough Examination.

Other inspections carried out by a variety of specialists may, or may not, be Thorough Examinations,’ he explained.
Further reading

CFTS Thorough Examination scheme expands
‘We have now reached critical mass,’ is how the administrators of the materials handling industry’s own accredited scheme for Thorough Examination describe its progress after 18 months in operation

Fork lift users may be breaking the law
Leading figures in the materials handling industry have voiced concerns over continuing ignorance of Thorough Examination - which is leading many truck users to break the law, albeit unwittingly

Website has answers to fork lift examination FAQs
A new website has been set up by CFTS (Consolidated Fork Truck Services) to answer questions about fork lift truck Thorough Examinations - the materials handling equivalent of an MOT

CFTS advises truck users to ask the inspector whether the inspection is a Thorough Examination in accordance with the LOLER 98 legislation.

They should ask to see a copy of the report form - and look for the words ‘Report of Thorough Examination’ on the top of it.

If that is not clearly specified in the documentation they should be suspicious of its validity.

CFTS pointed out that certainty in complying fully with the law can be assured by obtaining Thorough Examinations through companies accredited to the CFTS Thorough Examination scheme.

Those companies are obliged under their stringent procedural code to provide the following.

* A Report of Thorough Examination complying fully with LOLER 98.

* A checklist specifying what has been checked and recording any comments made.

* A certificate to keep with the truck’s documents.

* A sticker, affixed to the truck, to show the month and year when the next Thorough Examination will be due.

‘We have heard comments that the CFTS scheme is trying to establish a gold standard for Thorough Examination - as if that was a bad thing,’ said Tyrer.

‘As far as we are concerned the standard we have set is something to be proud of, and we will continue to insist that there is only one way that a Thorough Examination should be carried out: the right way’.

For further information on the fork lift truck industry’s accredited Thorough Examination scheme, and to find the nearest CFTS accredited company, please contact CFTS.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/czc/czc108.html

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This year’s National Fork Lift Truck Safety Conference included reports from overseas researchers, which included findings on main causes of employee accidents

Delegates at this year’s National fork lift truck Safety Conference were told of advances in Germany and the USA, which are intended to improve pedestrian safety on materials handling sites. Among international speakers at the annual event, organised by the Fork Lift Truck Association and sponsored by STILL Materials Handling, was Dr Uwe Weiner from the German Health Safety Department in cooperation with the University of Duisburg and IWS.

Dr Weinr revealing that most accidents involving pedestrians occur while a fork lift truck is in forward motion and not, as is commonly assumed, when reversing.

Using computer modelling, Dr Weiner showed how the findings locate specific danger zones around a vehicle, and how these could redefine a site’s requirements in safety alarms and systems, and truck mast visibility.

Bryan Allen of Sigma Squared Solutions discussed the innovative new Pedestrian Alert Safety System, developed in America by COPAR using hand-held transmitters to monitor pedestrian and truck proximity within a controlled operating area.
Further reading

Fork Lift Truck Association Safety Conference
Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) Safety Conference 2007 27th September 2007, Warwick University

Putting safety foremost
FLTA launches Safety 4MOST campaign at IMHX 2007 (Stand 20F122, Hall 20)

Other speakers, including Principal HSE Inspector Jim Corbridge, shared valuable advice on the practical basics of maintaining a safe site - identified by the FLTA as one of the four cornerstones of fork lift safety.

Cat, Looplifter and Jungheinrich explained how innovative safety solutions are already having an impact on UK workplaces.

Will Murray of Interactive Driving Systems underlined the need for regular operator assessment and unpacked the FLTA’s new online tool, Virtual Risk Manager - FLT.

British Nuclear Group gave an insight into recent fork lift safety improvements at Sellafield, and FLTA chief executive David Ellison’s presentation destroyed literally dozens of commonly accepted materials handling myths.

Ellison commented: ‘Today’s conference has attracted delegates from all manner of companies, large and small, throughout the UK and beyond, and I am confident that every single one will have gained practical tips, ideas and approaches that can genuinely improve safety on their own site’.

He added: ‘It is especially encouraging to have an increasing international flavour to the event - fork lift truck safety is a worldwide issue, and the more we can share research, insights and best practice, the safer our workplaces will be.’

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/fhv/fhv127.html

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Monitor over six IEQ/IAQ parameters with only one instrument

The New Multinorm is a universal all-in-one instrument for monitoring indoor environmental and air quality parameters. Available measurements include air temperature, air velocity, relative humidity, dew point, illuminance, luminance, CO, CO2 and sound (Class 1 and 2) analyses. Additional features of the Multinorm include luminance measurement, contrast, globe temperature, thermocouple (contact temperature), PMV (predictive mean vote), PPD (predictive percentage of dissatisfied) and WBGT (wet bulb globe temperature).

Multinorm can operate in two modes.

In the on-line mode it displays current measurements or in the logger mode, it automatically stores all measurement values per logging interval.

Software is included for data analysis, charting and reporting.

Firmware is upgradeable for future new probe additions.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/cdk/cdk100.html

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E-Components and Chains is announcing the launch of their new range of Detectamet metal detectable elastomer compounded O-Rings for the food and pharmaceutical industries

E-Components and Chains is announcing the launch of their new range of Detectamet metal detectable elastomer compounded O-Rings specifically developed to meet the stringent demands of the food and pharmaceutical industries. The New Detectamet range of O-Rings includes FDA compliant grades of EPDM, niitrile and fluorocarbon (FKM) compounds.

Available in blue, white and black, Detectamet O-Rings have been tested and proven in use at leading food and pharmaceutical manufacturing / processing plants.

Fragments of Detectamet as small as 2mm can be identified by metal detector equipment.

Features of Detectamet O-Rings include: Early detection and containment of contamination; Reduced product loss; Increased productivity; FDA compliant elastomer materials; Free from animal derived ingredients; Temperature range from - 40 degrees C to +200 degrees C; Blue seals to assist in easy identification; Detectamet compounds can be moulded into O-Rings and custom components; ECC supplies Detectamet O-rings from 0.25mm to over 2 metres in diameter, in any combination of ID and cross section, both in small quantities and large volumes.

E-Components and Chains are confident the New Detectamet O-Rings will contribute to their fast ever growing range of detectable products constantly being used and specified by some of the worlds leading food and pharmaceutical manufacturing/processing industries.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/epo/epo190.html

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First Stop Safety has updated their free booklet on noise to take into account the requirements of the new Control of Noise at Work regulations

This is aimed as a quick, 5-minute managerial guide to this subject. There is a useful chart which can be used to see what durations of noise exposure can cause a risk to hearing. Some case studies are presented, with example of excessive noise levels in an office, a warehouse and a metal workshop.

The booklet outlines the employer’s duties if the various levels of noise exposure are exceeded.

All in all it is aimed at bringing managers quickly up to speed with Noise at Work issues by using clear, simple language.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/fzv/fzv100.html

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Casella CEL, the UK’s leading manufacturer of occupational health, safety and environmental equipment, turns an everyday noise monitor into a masterpiece with the launch of the new CEL-350 dBadge

Personal sound exposure is measured using wearable noise dosimetry typically worn on the belt with a cable-connected microphone mounted near to the ear. Market research has indicated that the wearer often dislikes these microphone cables. Early attempts to overcome this problem have been made using cable-less ‘badge’ type products but they have been difficult to use beacuse they lack an integral display.

The all-new CEL-350 dBadge overcomes these weaknesses and additionally includes a unique noise exposure alarm.

The CEL-350 dBadge is versatile due to being cable free, is totally reliable due to the digital technology used and is ahead of its time with a robust, small and lightweight (68g) ergonomic design.

The CEL-350 dBadge measures all occupational noise parameters, as well as the time history of an individual’s noise exposure throughout the day.
Further reading

Sound level meters need accurate calibration
New Acoustic Calibrators from Cirrus Research

Longer warranty possible for sound level meters
Cirrus Research has introduced a 12 year warranty on all new noise measurement instruments

The use of the latest digital technology has miniaturised the design and allowed the incorporation of a built in graphic display.This is used to display status information and completed noise exposure results.

The dBadge has integral NiMH batteries that given an unprecedented 32 hours of operation, and can be recharged in under 90 minutes using the intelligent charging system.

Commententing on the launch, Tim Turney, product manager for Casella CEL says: ‘ The new dBadge challenges your ideas about what a noise dosimeter looks like and what it can do almost like a piece of unconventional art’.

‘This noise dosimeter is different from anything else in the market’.

‘It is incredibly simple to use without losing any capability, whilst being very comfortable to wear’.

‘To put it simply, we have created a masterpiece’.

The CEL-350 dBadge includes an extensive software package, with database and reporting features, as well as graphical analysis of an individual’s daily noise exposure.

The dBadge is downloaded to a PC by an infra-red link, a commonunication technology chosen because of proven wireless reliability.

The dBadge is supplied as a kit, in a rugged briefcase that also includes an acoustic calibrator, intelligent charging system, mounting kit, windshields, software and infra-red download cable.

Kits are supplied with quantities ranging from 1-10 dBadges.

The CEL-350 dBadge system exceeds International Standards for acoustic and electro-acoustic test methods and performance requirements.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/cyz/cyz100.html

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New Noise at Work Regulations

Most people having a responsibility for managing levels of noise at work will be familiar with the requirements of the Noise at Work Regulations. They should be able to quote the relevant Action Levels and the duties that have to be undertaken if they are exceeded. They are probably also aware that these Action Levels changed in April 2006 as the new Physical Agents (Noise) Directive took effect in the UK and are now known as Action Values.

However, a grasp of what lies behind the Action Levels will lead to a better understanding of the regulations and improved protection of the hearing of employees.

Action Levels.

First of all it is instructive to consider the origin of these Action Levels.

They are based on masses of statistics of hearing loss suffered compared with noise levels that people have been exposed to.

These statistics have been collected over a long period of time since Noise Induced Hearing Loss is a long-latent disease.
Further reading

New RF leakage tester
An accurate meter for checking RF leakage from microwave ovens

Free anti-RSI mousemat
First Stop Safety has designed a unique mouse mat to avoid Repetitive Strain Injury

More information on occupational deafness
The widespread use of personal sound exposure meters is leading to poor noise assessments that could be putting workers’ hearing at risk

The Action Levels are set so that the majority of people will suffer only moderate levels of hearing loss.

There is no such thing as a safe level of exposure.

What one would appreciate immediately from this is that even if the noise exposure of an employee is below the First Action level, there is still a risk of hearing damage.

The move to the new Directive is prompted by concerns that the current regulations present an unacceptable risk to hearing.

These new limits are called Action Values and are not based on new data on hearing loss.

They are merely aimed at reducing the percentage of people that are likely to be affected by Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL).

Some companies spend a lot of time and effort in producing noise surveys that show exposure levels at just below Action Levels.

This can be done say by reducing the time spent by employees in noisy locations.

However, as we have seen above this does not mean that those employees are safe from any hearing damage.

Why hearing tests?

Having looked at the background to the Action Levels/Values, we can look briefly at the tasks facing us if these are exceeded.

For those familiar with the regulations, these include the provision and use of hearing protectors, reduction of machinery noise at source and the marking out of Hearing Protection Zones.

Assuming that one is putting into practise all the requirements of the current regulations, there are a number of issues that should still concern us.

What about the hearing of staff that join the company with a pre-existing condition?

As the effects of Noise Induced Hearing Loss take a long time to become a serious problem, one needs to make sure not to take on responsibility for hearing damage that may have occurred during a previous employment.

As we have seen, the Action Levels are based on statistics, and keeping exposure below these can still result in some employees suffering hearing damage over a long term.

It is important to have a way of identifying more susceptible individuals.

Having provided hearing protectors where necessary, there is no easy way to check that these are effective, or are being worn at all.

How does one make sure of this?

Hearing surveillance provides us with a way of addressing all these issues.

It allows us to establish a base line for new employees.

We can use this data as a benchmark to check whether this deteriorates with the current employment.

It allows us to monitor all staff and identify more susceptible persons.

Once highlighted, these personnel can be moved to other tasks with lower exposure levels.

Finally, hearing surveillance monitors the effectiveness of the protection provided.

In recognition of this, the HSE guidance to the ‘Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005′ requires hearing tests for everyone who has been exposed to an Lex (formerly known as LepD) of more than 85 dB.

Different ways of testing hearing?

Many of the larger companies tend to own an Audiometer with suitably trained personnel to operate it.

This is an ideal solution, albeit costly for smaller companies.

There is the cost of the Audiometer to start with and associated training costs in having someone familiar with the use of it as well as being able to interpret the results.

If there is a person with suitable expertise, then rental of an Audiometer might be a cost effective way of carrying out hearing tests.

Another method is to use a mobile Audiologist.

A few companies are starting to offer this bundled with other health surveillance services.

How are hearing tests carried out?

Whichever method is used, the process of checking the hearing is very similar.

A range of tones at different frequencies and levels is played to the subject through a set of headphones.

Whenever the subject hears a tone, they acknowledge this by pressing a button.

By this means, the Audiologist determines the hearing threshold for the person.

In addition to this basic test, the Audiologist will examine the ear canal and carry out additional tests if required.

All these are usually carried out in a sound proofed booth, as some of the sound levels are quite low and general background noise may affect the results.

The hearing threshold range will vary depending on the age and sex of the subject.

If the measured hearing level is outside of this, then the contribution to this loss due to noise exposure at work has to be considered and appropriate action taken.

As all Audiometry is dependent on some feedback from the person being tested, they are susceptible to falsification.

It is possible for someone to pretend that his or her hearing is worse than it is by not pressing the button, even when a tone can be clearly heard.

However, professional Audiologists are trained in detecting this and have ways of double-checking results.

If someone falsifies the results when a hearing checker is being used, then they would be referred to an Audiologist anyway and would then find it impossible to repeat their previous results.

With any type of Audiometer, it is very difficult to falsify results to show ones hearing as being better than it really is.

Summary.

In summary, hearing surveillance provides us with a number of benefits in the workplace.

It allows us to check the hearing of new members of staff and avoid accepting any liability for hearing damage due to past employment.

Employees who are more susceptible to NIHL can be identified and protected.

Provide a safety net in checking that hearing protectors are being used and are proving effective.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/fzv/fzv103.html

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Cirrus Research’s new sound level meter includes automatic recording option

The CR:262 sound level meter from Cirrus Research enables employers to comply with the latest Noise at Work Regulations. The instrument is categorised as ‘Integrating Averaging Class 2′ for Type 2 Broadband Measurements in the 26 - 140dB range. The applications include: Assessment of noise in the workplace; Measurement of environmental noise; General purpose noise measurements and assessments; Selection of hearing protection.

It provides safety officers with an accurate measurement tool that is easy to use and requires no set-up procedure, user training or reference to an operating manual prior to use.

It simplifies the procedure of providing up-to-date noise measurements and risk assessments as required by current legislation.

The hand-held instrument weighs only 450 grammes and has only three pushbuttons to calibrate, start and stop measurements.
Further reading

Sound level meters need accurate calibration
New Acoustic Calibrators from Cirrus Research

Longer warranty possible for sound level meters
Cirrus Research has introduced a 12 year warranty on all new noise measurement instruments

This makes it an ideal portable tool for use in the working environment, including outdoors, typically for track or roadside locations where there is a need to record the sound levels of passing trains or vehicles.

After initial calibration and selection of measurement range, the user can select either numerical or graphical screen displays.

During measurement, all current parameters with a quasi-analogue bar graph representing the current sound level are shown on screen.

On completion of measurement, all of the parameters can be viewed at the same time.

The final measurement is also stored, and automatically displayed when the instrument is next switched on.

The CR:262 can also be upgraded to the +Version which includes additional functions and features including: Up to 100 measurements stored in memory with 1 sec time history Measurements download to PC for use with latest version of Deaf Defier 3 software to facilitate analysis and reporting.

Record and store data over fixed periods of 1, 5, 10, 15 and 30 minutes plus 1, 8 or 12 hours as well as a specific user defined time scale.

The instrument upgrade can be carried out by the user after purchase of a unique key which unlocks the full range of additional functions available.

The CR:262 can be supplied as a stand-alone sound level meter, or incorporated into a measurement kit comprising meter, acoustic calibrator, windshield and carrying case.

An RS232 PC connection cable, Deaf Defier 3 software and appropriate unique code is also provided for the + Version upgraded kit.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/cik/cik115.html

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