Equipment Depot recently partnered with smart technology specialist RCT to develop forklift seatbelt safety solutions.

Equipment Depot approached RCT to provide an operator safety solution to fit into two new Cat forklifts for a customer.

RCT subsequently provided its Muirhead Sequential Seatbelt Controller (SSBC) which is designed to immobilise the forklift until the operator is sitting and the seatbelt is engaged.

Equipment Depot account manager Oliver Bragg says a customer requested the additions to its new forklifts to safeguard operators.

“As the trucks were in our inventory, we had to find an alternative source rather than order [fitted-out forklifts] from the factory,” he says.

Bragg says the customer likes the reassurance that the operators have to purposely bypass the system in order not to wear a seatbelt and this allows them to keep their operators accountable.

RCT account manager Nikolas Walden explains: “Our products are specifically designed to retrofit (to) any type of equipment regardless of their age, make or model, and proved to be an ideal solution to this particular situation.

“This product will protect workers in the course of operating the forklift fleet and ensure they are working in line with company-mandated policies and safety laws.”