What I meant was "I was the guy who did it....not the Brian S I knew."

If I was, would you expect me to admit it after that question?

I'm not, though.

BrianS

Are U the same Brian from Dallas, TX? & Was relocated to Houston, Area & still work with Bill, Warren & Bob E?

If so this is the guy who ran nose first into a glass door on a boat on Lake Lanier in Atlanta area. That only happen after 4 or more tall "Absolut & Cranberrys" (aka Cape Cods) bewteen 9:30 am & lunch time.

That unfortunately is because compensation,Liability etc is decided by lawyers and not people who actually understand the situation.

If operators did not move without looking and looked in the direction of travel as they are taught during basic training then they would be less likely to knock anybody down.

Over in this part of the world they are taught that they do not move one inch without looking first. especially in reverse. Unfortunately because of mirrors etc they loose that good habit quickly.

Which brings me to my other pet subject, Supervision and encouragement of good driving procedure, what a pity that is better managed.!!!

Pana-View 180 degree safety mirror sold by Trading Point in Friendswood, Texas is a very clear and durable early warning mirror. One major OEM big-truck maker installs two in every new truck sold. Can't be used for driving because of the wide view, but the driver can see earhole to earhole at a glance. Trading Point can be reached at 281-648-2723, 8-5 CST. The point is to provide the maximum capability of visual warning before or during movement to the rear. It seems there would be more liability if the driver hits someone in the first five feet of movement backwards and a warning device could have been provided to him.

As a safety trainer, in Ontario, as well, I prefer that my students turn their upper torso 180 degrees. You cannot stop the company from installing mirrors however one can try their best to not solely depend on them for rearward vision. The mirrors' peripheral vision is limited.

I have a client that many years ago installed mirrors on their sit-down because the operator was too large to turn around. He was a great forklift operator, wise, efficient and timely with minimal bad habits, but just too large to turn around.

Nissan has been providing rear view mirrors (RVM) on sit down riders as standard for many years. And RVMs are commonly found as standard on forklifts built for the Asian markets.
Most other forklift companies (in the US) offer rear view mirrors (some L & R side or center mounted, too) as a standard price book option or as a non-price book listed option.
For certain, if they presented a liability issue in the US one of those "ambulance chasers" from Philadelphia would be on it in a New York minute or faster than a lift truck sales person on a new customer request for quotation.

PS: Nothing against anybody from the Northeast just recalled a couple fitting phases. I have some good friends and acquaintances from these areas. But just can't get used to those New Jersey Cup Handle left turns. For a first time visitor, like I was when I drove 5 miles before I figured how to make a left turn (in New Jersey time 5 miles equals 37 minutes). Overhanging trees covered most the Cup Handle signs. Maybe NJ will get them trimmed with some of Mr. "O" 's stimulus $$ by classifying the need as a "shovel ready" project.

Totally agree with you there Normandy. All trainers in this forum know that just one of all operators worst areas is lack of or poor observation. IMHO mirrors should be banned on lift trucks

I agree absolutely, there is no subistute for looking proberly in the direction of travel be it forward or reverse. It is not like a car where rear-view mirrors are needed to see what is coming up behind you. My personal view is that they would be better off banned in most cases as people just use them to get lazy. We all know what happens when Forklift Operators allow that to happen.