Lift truck manufacturer Yale Lift Truck Technologies recently announced a major milestone for its Reliant operator assistance technology to mark the 11th National Forklift Safety Day.
Since the product’s launch in 2021, Yale Reliant has accumulated over 14 million run-time hours across over 6,000 commercially deployed lift truck units.
Yale said its technology reinforces lift truck operating best practices and supports operator awareness to help reduce the risk of accidents and close calls like a pedestrian unexpectedly walking in front of a lift truck or an operator traveling too quickly around turns.
“Warehouses are pushed to the limit trying to keep up with productivity targets, but they can’t take their focus off safety, especially with a shrinking, transient labor pool that brings an influx of inexperienced lift truck operators,” said Brad Long, Yale Lift Truck Technologies brand manager. “National Forklift Safety Day is an annual reminder of the everyday, year-round importance of operator training and best practices, and the proven track record of Yale Reliant is a testament to technology’s real-world value for warehouses as they seek tools to help protect their employees, inventory, and bottom line.”
Advanced dynamic stability keeps PIT operators in control
Through Reliant, Yale’s advanced dynamic stability system automatically applies interventions in response to compromised stability, when machine vision detects obstacles in the path of travel or in close proximity, and even based on rules customers specify for certain areas of their warehouse. Adjustments such as a reduction to travel speed or smoothing of fork lift or tilt movement are carefully measured to avoid abrupt shifts or jerks that can upset stability.
Yale said Reliant keeps the operator in ultimate control of the lift truck, but the changes remain noticeable enough for operators to feel. The system also communicates the cause through a display screen, providing an additional layer of feedback to help reinforce proper operation established during training.
The growth of warehousing and distribution in the past decade has led to an increased focus on safety in the industry from the U.S. Department of Labor, Yale said. In July 2023, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a national emphasis program to reduce and prevent workplace hazards in warehousing and distribution center operations, and powered industrial truck (PIT) operations are part of the program’s focus.
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