Hi, I'm new to the site but not to forklifts. As always in the warehouse industry, we have trouble getting people to use their seatbelt. I was wondering if there are any systems out there that have a safety interlock that prevents the lift from functioning unless the seatbelt is fastened. I know most skidsteers have a safety interlock system requiring the operator to be in the seat and have the seatbelt fastened. Seems like a logical solution to the problem of not wearing the seatbelt. The hyster service guy said that there isn't such a thing and I think it would be a pretty simple thing to rig up if hyster indeed doesn't have any such thing. Just wondering what everyone else thinks or if they know of something that is currently available like this. Thanks a bunch!
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I knew it could be done and it probably has been done. I agree that the seatbelt issue is a management issue and that any employee can find a way around it (i.e a separate seat belt clip not connected to the actual seat belt). We have the orage one on order and will install when they get here but hearing the Hyster guy tell me that that kind of system doesn't exist got me thinking. I do think that it would certainly help in at least making the operator think about the seatbelt and it's use before operating the lift. We also have a new Hyster here that does not have the seatbelt/brake/seat sensor system like described above. Just have to be in the seat and then it will work. Just wanted some opinions about it and you all have given great insight, so thanks!
Not sure why your Hyster guy told you that. The new Hysters and Yales have a system on them that has to be used all in unison with each other. Operator has to be on the seat, seat belt has to be latched and foot needs to be on the brakes before starting. When I was working for the Hyster dealer two years ago it was about three days after we recieved the first machine with that system, when we got the service gram advising us on how the system worked. So we looked like a bunch of pinheads pushing this machine into the shop when we could not make it move.
Now if you want to retrofit some older machines I do believe an aftermarket kit is available. 15 years ago I did it from scratch on 12 machines for Martin Marrietta. Their techies helped me out a little by making a couple of pieces I drew out for them.
If there is a will there is a way and I guess the skill level of the tech helps also.
Matt - no doubt it is a good concept but there is hardly a system that a "good" operator can't find a way to defeat it if they don't want to be bothered with it - drives Engineers crazy for sure. The simpler the design the easier it is to defeat. As an example, on sit down rider lift trucks there is a safety seat switch in the bottom cushion to prevent the unit from function without an operator present. A simple GEM or any other brand paper clip can defeat this.
Years ago Ford Motor Company required all their lift trucks to be fitted with an "inch pound" overload device to prevent the trucks from being overloaded. Mind you, that when they bought a truck to be rated 8000 lbs. per their safety standards (much greater than the ASME/ANSI standards) normally a 10,000 base rated chassis was required. They spent about $2000- 2500 per truck for this required optional safety feature. Between the operator's trying and succeeding in defeating the systems and the suspected reliability of this safety option it was dropped as a requirement in the Ford safety standards in a few years.
In my opinion, having the operators wear seat belts is a management issue.
A very simple option available is seat belts with bright orange straps in lieu of the standard black belt. This makes it much easier to visually police who is and who ain't wearing them.
There is seat belt kits availale with a safety interlock fitted. They are available from TVH.
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