In regard to speeding and how to control it, I agree with the thoughtful discussion offered by inventoryops, below. At LIFTOR dot COM, we have found a workable solution to the apparent dilemma of imposing "speed limits" while demanding high productivity (number of units relocated per unit of time) from employee operators.

I believe that it is important to recognize that safety and productivity can exist at the same time and place.

The LIFTOR vantage point resolves the dilemma by recognizing, instructing, and encouraging several operating principles and practices that must be used together for this to work, as follows:

1) When there are NO hazardous conditions likely to exist within the intended travel path, and the load is stable, driving FAST on a forklift truck is a GOOD and productive action that is highly valued by management and operator alike, and

2) The hazardous conditions under which the operator MUST drive "slowly" are to be identified, described and agreed upon by both operators and management in advance. (for example, pedestrians, debris, inclines, personnel doors that open into the travel path, intersections, other moving or fixed equipment, and curves in the travel path, are common hazards.), and

3) When encountering ANY of these hazards while on-truck, the operator must take a prescribed and agreed-upon action that does NOT include high speed driving, such as, STOP outside of one truck length to the hazard, move at "creeping speed" or "inching speed" until the condition is cleared., or follow the "LIFTOR 3 and 1 DEAD-STOP rule".

Since the vast majority of forklifts don't have speedometers or speed governors at this time, the operator will know s/he is going too fast if they are ignoring the above hazards and not taking the appropriate, prescribed and agreed upon action.

Thus, the dilemma is resolved as operators and managers are ensured that it is valuable to have operators who will go either fast or slow or stop under APPROPRIATE operating conditions.

For more information about LIFTOR principles and practices, surf to LIFTOR dot COM.

Best wishes,

Joe