Forklift Safety Compliance Upgraded by Whiting Passport Safety Technology Governing High Value Mobile and Fixed Plant
AccessPoint from Whiting Passport is used on both mobile and fixed equipment, ranging from forklifts to heavy transport, through to cranes and process machinery. Last year the USA alone added about 185,000 lift trucks to its inventory, up from about 172,000 the year before, according to the Industrial Truck Association.
With more than a million forklift trucks operating in North America, safety and risk management are a top priority for major users such as manufacturing, construction, road, rail and maritime transport, logistics, wholesalers and retailers and mining and energy.
And with nearly 35,000 serious injury accidents a year and more than 80 deaths involving forklifts in the USA alone, according the latest OHSA statistics, the importance of having and maintaining good safety practices is paramount, says an organization dedicated to facilitating a strong safety culture across entire organizations.
AccessPoint from Whiting has introduced throughout North America its access control system that uses smart card technology to physically prevent fixed and mobile machinery and security storage from being operated by unauthorized people.
"Forklifts are among the prime targets for this unique technology, because it directly addresses major causes of accidents involving lift trucks," says Whiting Senior Vice President, Edward Yakos. Risk factors, identified by OHSA, include:
• Insufficient or inadequate forklift training
• Failure to follow safe forklift procedures
• Lack of safety rule enforcement
AccessPoint not only controls who can operate high-value, high risk equipment – ensuring only safety qualified people can do so - but also records when they accessed it and for how long.
"System users can remain in compliance with OHSA and other regulatory standards because AccessPoint gives them the ability to continuously view how their operators are using their equipment.. System users can quickly address and correct patterns of misuse. AccessPoint creates a shared culture of responsibility that ensures the correct use of high risk, high value plant equipment."
The technology enables users to employ one system for their entire operation. In addition to forklifts and other mobile and fixed equipment, it can also be applied to governing access to fuel and energy, facilitating safe handling and storage that is important to a comprehensive hazard reduction plan.
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AccessPoint from Whiting Passport applies to rail and road transport industries
"This inexpensive technology also addresses other essential issues raised by OHSA, including compliance with regular inspections, ranging from daily checklists to full statutory periodical checks," says Edward Yakos.
"Each AccessPoint system is customized to each specific user," says Mr Yakos. "Each system user has the power to store start and stop times, to track certification and expiration statuses and to set customized re-certification intervals on a per user basis, as they see fit.
The system is administered through a secure, easy-to-use web-based application, "Critically, staying completely off your company's network!" says Edward Yakos.
System users can view run hours of all AccessPoint devices within range from any Bluetooth device, or they can log into their own personal dashboard, or Viewport, from their PC to view real-time equipment usage by operator along with vital statistics of all AccessPoint devices.
Whiting provides real-time support to assist with installation and setup and to answer customer questions. A full range of installation kits are available, depending on the type of equipment.
Features of AccessPoint
AccessPoint for Vehicles simply replaces vehicle keys with a smart access card.
AccessPoint for Fixed Equipment works like a power switch and interfaces with start/stop circuits, drives, PLCs, and PC controls. It is ideal for three-phase contractor-started machines or single-phase switched circuit equipment where the board can be mounted internally.
AccessPoint Replaces the Key of Your Forklift Truck and Other Mobile Equipment with a RFID-Enabled Card
Whiting Corporation is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA), which it supports in promoting engineering excellence and outstanding quality standards.
Headquartered in Monee, Illinois, Whiting's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility extends over 197,000 square feet, and is a fully-equipped, integrated manufacturing facility with a complete machine shop for material preparation, fabrication, machining and component assembly and testing.
This facility also houses the headquarters and a regional office for Whiting Services, Inc., which specializes in the maintenance and inspection of overhead cranes of all manufacturers and of other Whiting equipment. Whiting Corporation's mission is to "deliver value through customized, cost-effective solutions which meet the material handling needs of our customers."
For further information please contact, Scott Bort, Senior Industrial Marketing Strategist, Whiting Corporation, 26000 Whiting Way, Monee, IL 60449, 888-Whiting, marketing@whitingcorp.com  www.whitingcorp.com
