Mark Jackson from Babock Marine, winner of the FLTA Safe Site 2013 Award, will share how his team brought together more than 500 staff to improve safety.

The Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) is urging industry leaders to draw inspiration and support from examples of forklift safety "heroes" to achieve true safety excellence as it announced the program for this year's National Fork Lift Truck Safety Conference.

The one-day event, sponsored by Briggs Equipment UK, will take place at Warwick University on 24 September. Its theme is "Is there a killer in your warehouse: five real-world ways to transform forklift safety".

FLTA CEO Peter Harvey says: "Although every business is unique, from its structure to its site, they do have a lot in common. At its most basic, all share issues such as operational hazards, compliance issues and training requirements.

"But for significant change to take place, a site must nurture a culture of safety - which is only truly possible with total engagement.

"However, as many managers will appreciate, achieving this is not a simple task. It's filled with obstacles, for which there is no obvious route map. The path to a safer culture is never without its challenges, but fortunately it is a route which is well travelled."

The forklift safety "heroes" who will be introduced to conference delegates have met obstacles head-on, Harvey says. They will offer practical, honest advice and inspire delegates with their "unshakeable commitment to nurturing positive safety culture".

Conference attendees will hear from companies which have successfully driven change in their workplaces including Babcock Marine, Briggs Equipment, GKN, Interfit, JCB and
Mentor Training.

Philip White from the UK Health and Safety Executive will present the keynote address, and the day will include an update from the Accrediting Bodies Association.

The conference will host its first-ever Q&A session with a hand-picked practical safety panel. Specialists from a wide variety of areas - including unions, insurance, legal and training - will offer different perspectives and guidance.

For further details, visit the FLTA website, email or call the FLTA office on 01635 277577.

The FLTA is also inviting entries for its 2015 Awards for Excellence.

"We want manufacturers, dealers and end users to enter one or more of the four key product and service categories - Ergonomics, Environment, Safety and Innovation," says Harvey. "Once again, we're welcoming entries from end-users for the Safe Site Award, which recognises significant improvements to working practices. We also want to hear from forklift dealers who have done something special to support a customer within the Customer Focus category."

To be eligible for the Awards, your new product or service must have been available for purchase in the UK from 1 October 2013 to 30 September 2014, or the product must have been fitted to equipment that is available to purchase in the UK. Further guidance is available on the FLTA website. Nominations close on 30 September.