May 28, 2010

Woolworths’ Queensland distribution hub at Larapinta was host to the latest National Forklift Championships heat.

The National Forklift Championships, which continue to grow in popularity each year, put male and female contestants under pressure to avoid operator errors and provided an opportunity to demonstrate the competency of each person.

With assistance from the National Forklift Coordinator, the Larapinta DC’s Jamie Cotter and his team designed a competition course comprising a number of complicated manoeuvres and tasks.

To ensure the test was achievable within a set timeframe, the in-house forklift trainer drove the course and added a 50 percent margin.

“Safety is essential in the workplace so we’ve also included a site risk assessment component,” Cotter says.

“The site uses a wide range of forklifts, both counter balanced and reach trucks of varying capacities.

“Although productivity is always an operational consideration, safety must be included in every process.”

The two judges who assessed each contestant work in the forklift training and assessment industry and are able to decide quite quickly as to the competency of a forklift operator.

Each contestant starts the competition with a score of zero and as operating errors are made, penalty points are added.

The winners in both categories are those with the lowest points within the set timeframe.

The winners on the day were Annie Walker who was the top female driver and Mark Kane, the top male driver.

Both contestants will be eligible to compete at the Grand Final of the National Forklift Championship in Sydney on the 28 October.

Winners will receive prize money of $1500 and a silver trophy