The UK forklift industry is preparing for its second National Forklift Safety Day after the British Industrial Truck Association (BITA) adopted the commemoration from its US counterparts last year.

This year, the campaign - which will take place on June 9 - is promoting the message that management is responsible for segregating pedestrians from materials handling equipment.

The purpose of National Forklift Safety Day 2020 (NFSD) is to raise awareness of safe working practices among anyone working on or near materials handling equipment.

BITA stresses that, at all sites where materials handling equipment is in operation, effective systems must be in place to keep pedestrians and co-workers safe from collision with such equipment - and the best way of ensuring this is by physical separation.

Accident figures based on RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) over the last three years show that 43% of incidents involving a forklift were impacts with a third person. Of these, around 65% were pedestrians engaged in activities unrelated to the immediate truck operation, 20% were co-workers/supervisors and 15% delivery drivers watching or assisting with loading/unloading their vehicle.

Social distancing restrictions have not halted BITA's efforts to raise safety awareness, and the association commissioned new website dedicated to promoting NFSD and its important message. The portal has become the main focus of the campaign and features a wealth of information related to the issue of safely segregating pedestrians and MHE in the workplace.

"BITA is keen that the important safety message underlining this year's campaign reaches as wide an audience as possible, which is why all the information on the new website is being made available free of charge," says David Goss, BITA technical manager.

"Anyone with an interest in improving safety standards within the materials handling industry should visit the website and download the videos and media pack so they can promote the message of National Forklift Safety Day to their customers and suppliers, as well as their fellow employees."

BITA says the National Forklift Safety campaign provides an opportunity for everyone to promote a safer materials handling industry and to propagate best practice across the industry.