Forklift safety, traffic engineering and intelligent transport systems: a case study

Area of Science:

• Occupational health and safety
• Human factors engineering
• Manufacturing safety

Background:

• Forklift operations present significant safety risks in manufacturing environments.
• Previous safety measures have not fully addressed human-vehicle interactions.
• Two Victorian manufacturing sites were selected for a demonstration project.

Purpose of the Study:

• To improve safety at two specific manufacturing sites.
• To develop, implement, and evaluate human-centered design interventions for vehicle-pedestrian interactions.
• To assess the impact of traffic engineering and Intelligent Transport Systems on forklift safety.

Main Methods:

• A 'before' and 'after' case study approach was employed.
• Traffic engineering interventions were implemented to manage vehicle and pedestrian flow.
• Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) were developed and installed in forklifts.
• Methods were developed to assess safety improvements and user acceptance.

Main Results:

• Traffic engineering interventions led to a reduction in hazardous forklift-pedestrian interactions.
• Forklift drivers and managers found the new Intelligent Transport Systems acceptable for operational use.
• The intended safety benefits of the ITS were well understood by users.
• Positive safety outcomes were observed following the implementation of interventions.

Conclusions:

• Human-centered design interventions can effectively enhance forklift safety.
• Intelligent Transport Systems show promise for improving safety and operational acceptance.
• Addressing human factors is crucial for mitigating risks in forklift operations.
• The study provides a framework for evaluating similar safety interventions in industrial settings.