Transmon Engineering has developed a range of iTEch Speed systems to help reduce the likelihood of workplace transport incidents, by reducing forklift travel speeds.
According to the company, the Transmon iTEch Over Speed monitors the speed of the vehicle and notifies the driver when the pre-set speed has been reached, by activating a beacon and a buzzer fitted inside the cab. As soon as the operator decreases the travel speed to the required limit, the buzzer and beacon will deactivate, they add.
Transmon also explain that a more advanced and secure way of ensuring that speed regulations are adhered to is with the Transmon iTEch Speed 1 or Speed 6 Systems, which they say are designed for cable-operated and fly-by-wire throttles respectively. These systems detect the truck’s travel speed, and when a pre-set threshold is reached, a throttle restriction is applied in order to limit the truck’s speed, says the firm.
“This does not affect the power of the truck’s lift hydraulics, as the throttle only operates whilst the truck is moving,” explains Bob Warner, Sales Manager for Transmon. “Ramps and gradients are no problem either, because the restriction is not in place until the speed is reached.”
For larger sites that need more flexibility with truck speeds in different areas, the company says the Transmon iTEch Zone System allows operations to set and enforce safe speeds in specific ‘zones’, whilst maintaining maximum productivity, with higher travel speeds where appropriate.
Finally, the Transmon iTEch Control system is for operations where speed limitation is not the only requirement, explains the company. They say it combines the features of the Speed1/6 with transmission protection, by preventing hot-shifting while moving, which can cause severe damage to transmissions, and tyre wear reduction, by preventing wheel spin when changing direction.
Says Bob Warner: “It is possible that many accidents could have been prevented simply by reducing travel speed. By limiting the travel speed of a forklift with a Transmon system, site safety can be enhanced and the chance of a collision can be reduced.”
Approaches to managing the risks associated Musculoskeletal disorders
In this episode of the Safety & Health Podcast, we hear from Matt Birtles, Principal Ergonomics Consultant at HSE’s Science and Research Centre, about the different approaches to managing the risks associated with Musculoskeletal disorders.
Matt, an ergonomics and human factors expert, shares his thoughts on why MSDs are important, the various prevalent rates across the UK, what you can do within your own organisation and the Risk Management process surrounding MSD’s.
