 The BlueSpot system provides a highly visible driving path warning device. |
There is growing demand for Linde's forklift safety device, BlueSpot, to be retrofitted to forklifts in Australia.
The high-intensity, low-consumption LED light warning system consists of two lights attached to the top of the driver's protective roof frame.
The lights project a large, bright blue spot onto the floor several metres ahead of the vehicle in the direction of travel. Another option available is a blue arrow projected on the floor which indicates the drive direction of the forklift.
Linde national marketing manager Christine Nolland tells
Forkliftaction.com News that SCA Hygiene in Victoria was one of the first companies to trial the system in Australia. She adds that since then, the company has instructed that all new forklifts supplied by Linde must be fitted with the BlueSpot system.
"The system was also instrumental in addressing some serious failings in SCA's traffic management on site."
Linde MD Carl Smith says forklift drivers often find the shrill tones of acoustic warning devices so disruptive that they switch them off and thus prevent them from fulfilling their function.
"The BlueSpot device doesn't cause that issue. Instead, it provides a highly visible driving path warning device, which is more directional than flashing beacons because it is not reflected off all nearby surfaces.
"Pedestrians or other forklift operators can quickly identify the direction of approaching vehicles, ensuring safety in aisles as well as in unclear cross-over areas."
The LED lights can be lit up constantly or can be set to flash in order to attract attention, making it ideal for use around doors, exits, crossings and blind corners where forklifts, warehouse trucks and pedestrians share common work spaces in storage, incoming goods, dispatch or manufacturing areas.