RTITB is pleased to announce that leading safety company Pyroban is the latest testing partner for its prestigious International Forklift Operator of the Year 2016 competition.
The International Forklift Operator of the Year contest takes place once every three years and aims to celebrate the most skilled and safe forklift drivers from around the world. Explosion protection specialists Pyroban, who share RTITB’s commitment to efficient and safe driving in the workplace, will be a test sponsor for the 2016 competition.
“Pyroban is committed to promoting the importance of safety in the materials handling industry while providing protection for workers operating in or close to potentially explosive environments” says Matthew Shirkie, Group Operations Manager at Pyroban. “Through this contest, RTITB helps to bring forklift safety to the fore, raising awareness of the different safety considerations that are needed throughout the whole industry, which is why we are proud to support this year’s International Forklift Operator of the Year Competition.”
Pyroban will be raising awareness of the hazards of using forklift trucks in potentially explosive areas through one of the practical driving tests taking place at the competition’s live heats at IMHX (International Materials Handling Exhibition) from 13th – 16th September. After these tough live heats, finalists will display their skills in front of an audience at the Grand Final on 11th November in a bid to win the coveted title of International Forklift Operator of the Year 2016, where once again you will see a Pyroban themed test.
“We’re delighted that Pyroban is a partner for this year’s International Forklift Operator of the Year competition as like RTITB, improving safety is at the core of what they do,” says Laura Nelson, Managing Director at RTITB. “There are many different considerations when it comes to safe forklift operation, from training to explosion protection and everything in between. We hope that this partnership will help remind the industry of the important role that all these elements play when it comes to safety.”
Safety is of the utmost importance to Pyroban, which provides explosion protection solutions for materials handling equipment used in potentially explosive work environments (DSEAR*). While Pyroban systems help to prevent explosions, there is also a need for driver awareness of the risks of working in potentially explosive environments.
“Our ATEX** compliant solutions can be used to help protect forklift drivers from explosion, but that is just one piece of the safety puzzle. High-quality, accredited driver training is important for all forklift operators, but especially so for those drivers working in a potentially explosive atmosphere,” adds Matthew Shirkie.
Working together to improve the safety of operators across the globe, Pyroban and RTITB encourage employers with drivers working with Pyroban converted forklifts to enter the competition.
Matthew says “For those working in potentially explosive environments it is vital that they fully understand their equipment and are able to evaluate risks, alongside having the ability to operate a forklift safely and skilfully. Due to this, we believe that drivers working with Pyroban converted forklifts are among the best in the business, so we encourage their employers to enter them into the competition – perhaps a Pyroban operator could be this year’s winner!”
The competition is open to all trained counterbalance operators working on any type of forklift.
For more information on the competition or how to enter the International Forklift Operator of the Year 2016, visit www.opofyear.com or contact Amy Southall at RTITB – Amy_Southall@rtitb.co.uk – (0)1952 520218.