 The late Barry Carter |
Australian Barry Carter, author of
Forklift Safety - Reducing the Risk, died in Melbourne on February 6, aged 57.
Carter's employer, WorkSafe Victoria, has paid tribute to Carter for his work in the Australian forklift industry.
WorkSafe said that, since 2005, 25,000 copies of Carter's forklift publication had been circulated in Australia, the US and Europe.
"
Forklift Safety - reducing the risk is recognised globally as a standard reference point on how to operate a forklift safely. It is one of our most popular publications," a statement said.
Carter was known for his respect for life, and disrespect for political correctness.
He was a regular contributor to Australia's Weasel Words online forum and diary "for people who have silently wept into a crumpled copy of their company's mission statement", a Weasel Words statement said.
Last year Carter said he had become a "weaselwordholic"
"I guess it all started when I was a manager in the public service," he said.
"Each time I hear weasel words I feel cravings deep inside. Sure, the plain English program the government put me on helps, but the withdrawal pains keep gnawing away."
Carter had moved to Australia from the UK, joining SafeWork South Australia as a safety inspector and manager. He joined WorkSafe Victoria, in Melbourne, in June 2001 as a project officer in what was then the Transport & Storage Division.
WorkSafe said Carter "understood there were consequences for poor safety and rewards for getting it right".
Carter's
Forklift Safety - reducing the risk is a 20-page publication for supervisors, managers and forklift operators. It explains forklift stability and instability, speed and stopping distances, and getting on and off a forklift "the safe way".
It was released in 2005. A second edition, which included pedestrian safety, was released in 2006.
WorkSafe said confronting safety issues had been challenging for Carter.
"It wasn't always easy work. Trying to convince an industry association and its members that improving safety was in its interests, despite the fact that there might be some short-term cost, is a challenge," the statement said.
National Bulk Tanker Association director Rob Perkins said there were few examples where an entire industry "had been brought around to a particular view, in this case handrails on tankers and the elimination of top loading.
"This is an example of the single minded, dedicated service Barry provided to his employer and to a cause in which he very much believed. We salute you Barry. You made a difference," he said.
WorkSafe Victoria executive director John Merritt praised Carter.
"Workplaces around the country are now safer thanks to Barry's work. Lives have been saved.
"Barry moved into forklift safety and worked closely with industry to improve its understanding of the dangers of these machines and developed the guidance material that is one of his greatest achievements.
"Sadly, forklift deaths and injuries continue to occur and this affected Barry, but the projects he established continue and the guidance material he developed will be with us for a long time," Mr Merritt said.
Carter worked in business planning for WorkSafe. His vision was "that all our projects can be weighed against each other so we put our efforts into those that will best save lives", the WorkSafe statement said.
Contributions to Carter's tribute can be sent to
TributeToBarry@workcover.vic.gov.au.