02 December 2010

Mitsubishi hi-vis overhead guard roof in running for sixth Archie win

Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks hope to make it 'two in a row' following news that the manufacturer's hi-vis overhead guard has been named a Safety finalist in the Fork Lift Truck Association's Awards for Excellence 2011.

The Mitsubishi hi-vis overhead guard roof is part of the VersaCab range of panel cabins that was introduced with its new GRENDIA family of 1.5 to 5.5 tonne counterbalance trucks. Shielding against objects large and small, it can be used on its own or with other VersaCab panel cabin options introduced for the new GRENDIA counterbalance family.

Traditionally, operators have been protected from large falling objects by metal bars in the roof of the overhead guard. While these structures are effective in shielding the operator from such falls, they present an obstacle to his or her vision.

Uniquely, the Mitsubishi hi-vis overhead guard roof has no bars to impede the view. Instead, a tough, transparent shield, improves visibility while still protecting the operator against falling objects. Importantly, this clear-view design also protects operators against small objects, such as screws and bolts, as well as larger items, giving it an advantage over traditional bars.

Exceptional to this revolutionary design is the overhead guard roof's combination of tough polycarbonate with a special coating that resists the scratching, weathering and deterioration with age that affects Perspex roofs. The result is total and lasting transparency.

"When we develop new products, our design teams consider every aspect of operator safety," says Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks general manager Mike Jones. "Being named as a finalist for this Award further underlines our commitment to raising safety standards within the fork lift truck industry - which is what the FLTA Awards are all about."

Voting for the FLTA Awards for Excellence opens on 1st December 2010 and is open to anyone working within the materials handling industry.