A new online safety tool for forklift drivers will be trialled by delegates in the weeks leading up to the Fork Lift Truck Association's (FLTA) 2006 safety conference.

The virtual fork lift truck (VFLT), developed by Interactive Driving Systems, is an internet tool enabling employers to monitor forklift driver performance.

An FLTA spokesperson said the VFLT evaluated driver performance and identified areas that needed refresher training. VLTA users responded to questions and written scenarios worded to avoid "textbook answers". The answers were used to generate user profiles.

"VFLT can be used to regularly check staff's training needs and confirm suitability of new recruits and agency forklift drivers ... it measures their likely performance in terms of operating safely," he said.

FLTA CEO David Ellison said employers who booked conference tickets would receive access codes allowing them and up to four forklift operators to evaluate a trial version of VFLT.

Feedback given at the safety conference would give Interactive Driving Systems important information to hone the tool before marketing it.

Ellison said the VFLT could be made available in a cost-effective way via the FLTA website if the trial was successful.

Driver assessment will be covered at the FLTA Safety Conference 2006 on September 19 at Warwick University. For more details, visit www.fork-truck.org.uk.