Every warehouse and manufacturing facility relies on material handling equipment to keep goods moving. But whenever loads are lifted, transported and stored, safety becomes a critical consideration.
According to Combilift Country Manager Chris Littlewood, forklift safety is not just about operator behaviour. It begins with selecting equipment designed to minimise risk in the first place.
With National Forklift Safety Day observed internationally each June, Chris says the occasion provides an opportunity for Australian businesses to review how their equipment, processes and facility layouts contribute to safer operations.
“Safety is one of the pillars on which Combilift operates,” says Chris.
Bringing loads down to a safer height
One of the most common risks in materials handling involves carrying loads at height. Long and bulky products such as timber, steel and piping are often difficult to move through conventional warehouses. In many cases, operators are forced to elevate loads above racking or transport them in unstable positions, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
“If you can bring the load down and carry it low, it is far safer than trying to transport it at height,” he says.
This principle underpins Combilift’s multidirectional forklift range. By allowing operators to travel sideways, these machines can move long loads through narrow aisles without raising them unnecessarily.
The result is improved stability, better visibility and reduced risk of collisions with racking, products and pedestrians. Warehouse operators continue to face pressure to maximise storage density. However, tighter aisle widths can create new hazards if equipment is not suited to the environment.
Chris says specialised forklifts are helping businesses improve both space utilisation and safety.
Among the company’s most safety-focused products are the Combi-CB multidirectional counterbalance forklift and the Combi-WR pedestrian walkie reach stacker.
The Combi-CB combines the flexibility of a counterbalance forklift with multidirectional movement, making it well suited to businesses handling long loads in confined spaces.
For palletised goods, Chris highlights the Combi-WR and Combi-WR4.
These pedestrian-operated units can work in aisles as narrow as 2.2 metres and are specifically designed to reduce interaction risks between operators, pedestrians and racking.
“The Walkie Reach range helps reduce the risk of crush injuries and improves safety where people and equipment operate in close proximity,” says Chris.
A patented tiller arm allows operators to remain offset from the truck, helping prevent them from being trapped between the machine and warehouse infrastructure.
Technology adds another layer of protection
Forklift safety technology has advanced in recent years. Chris says AI-driven pedestrian detection systems are becoming more common across Australian facilities, helping identify nearby people and automatically slowing or stopping vehicles when necessary.
Combilift integrates third-party systems to suit customer requirements.
“We work closely with customers to ensure the pedestrian awareness systems they use meet their specific site requirements,” he says.
Additional safety features include:
- Safe-to-approach lighting
- Red-zone and blue-spot warning lights
- Front, rear and 360-degree cameras
- Telematics and utilisation monitoring
These systems improve operator awareness and provide managers with deeper visibility into how equipment is being used.
