Safety devices, forklift trucks for specialist applications and rubbish bags for pallet trucks were all in the spotlight at the Fork Lift Truck Association's annual awards for excellence, held earlier this month in Birmingham.

Key category winners – all of whom picked up a bronze 'Archie' statuette (pictured) – included:

• Environment: BMB Weatherproof Canopies' pallet truck bag
• Safety: Yale's mast-mounted LED lights
• Ergonomics: Cat Lift Trucks' new power pallet trucks
• Innovation: Aisle-Master's cold store Aisle-Master.

Babcock International Group picked up the 'safe site' award for its innovative approach to safety management. Rather than dictate protocol, Babcock involved all its forklift drivers and supervisors in an open and frank discussion to identify key safety issues. This resulted in the introduction of 21 safety standards, and empowered more than 550 staff to help achieve compliance.