Munich/Birmingham, 17.04.2013.An independent panel of experts have awarded the Crown WT 3040 rider powered pallet truck with the prestigious Design for Safety Awardin the Industrial Vehicles category at the IMHX 2013 trade show. The Award is organised by the British Industrial Truck Association (BITA).

Judged by an expert panel, the BITA Design for Safety Awards recognise companies or products who have made a measurable contribution to the level of safety awareness or injury reduction in materials handling operations. One of the major hazards associated with the fast-moving warehouse environment is injuries to the feet of truck operators, often caused by operators inadvertently failing to keep their feet within the confines of the truck.

Crown’s WT 3040 rear entry powered pallet truck was judged by the panel to have made a measurable contribution to improving safety awareness through its innovative Entry Bar Safety Switch. This patented bar is integrated into the leading edge of the fixed platform and is designed to stop the truck immediately if the operator’s foot depresses the switch. In practice, this means the Crown WT 3040 will not move until the operator’s feet are safely within the confines of the truck.

The patented Entry Bar Safety Switch is fitted on all rear and side entry versions of the WT 3000 Series pallet trucks.

About Crown Equipment Corporation
Crown Equipment is one of the world’s largest materials handling companies. Crown’s award-winning line of forklifts maintains a reputation for advanced product design, engineering and integrated manufacturing processes. Offering a broad range of forklifts, as well as automation and fleet management technologies, Crown provides customers with forward-thinking and innovative products designed to improve performance and lower operating costs. With its Head Office in New Bremen, Ohio, and regional headquarters in Germany, Australia, China and Singapore, Crown operates a global service and distribution network.