2009 Canadian Forklift Rally to be held in May

Canadian forklift operators will put their skills to the test at the 12th annual B.C. Championship Forklift Rally in May.

The event, organised by the Canadian Materials Handling & Distribution Society (CMHDS), will bring together forklift operators from across British Columbia to test their skills and knowledge.

Participants will compete in a precision driving course that will require them to navigate through a variety of forklift activities. They will also have their forklift and safety knowledge tested in a written test based on WorkSafeBC regulations.

The top three participants in each of the three divisions will receive trophies and prize money. Total prize money is almost USD3,000.

John Gilder, events and membership co-ordinator for CMHDS, says the rally is the society's centrepiece event. "The main purpose of the rally is to promote forklift safety and to recognise the forklift operators in our member companies for their knowledge, skills and proficiency," he says. "We believe it helps promote more professionalism and higher standards in the industry."

The rally has three divisions - reach, counter and power pallet jack. Each division has prizes for first, second and third (USD500, USD300 and USD100).
Gilder says the entrance fees are USD65 per person. "This is usually covered by their employers," he explains.

Rally competitors must have been operating a forklift for a minimum of one year and be accident-free for one year.

CMHDS is a non-profit group of warehousing and distribution managers in British Columbia, Canada.