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A CPD accredited event, sponsored by Combilift
Must-Attend Safety Convention Highlights Safe Working Practices
The UK Material Handling Association (UKMHA), the trade body representing all aspects of the UK’s material handling industry, is reinforcing its commitment to improving safety standards across the sector with the launch of a new Safe Working Area Charter.
The Charter is being launched officially at the association’s annual Safety Convention, which takes
place at the Heart of England Conference & Events Centre next month.
The convention, sponsored by Combilift, is the most authoritative event of its kind in the UK material
handling calendar and is considered a must-attend summit for anyone with a responsibility for
ensuring the safety and well-being of their workers. The conference is attended by hundreds of
managers from across the UK who come together to share best practice advice.
The event is part of the Association’s drive to deliver change within the material handling industry.
Collectively, Safety Convention delegates are responsible for the lives of many thousands of workers
across the UK, as such, it is crucial they possess the very best, most practical and valuable
information on current safety protocols as they apply to the material handling industry.
The new Charter is the latest in a series of guidance notices to be issued by the UKMHA, which was
officially formed following the merger of the two most respected trade associations in the UK
material handling sector – The British Industrial Truck Association (BITA) and The Fork Lift Truck
Association (FLTA).
The Safe Working Area Charter has been written by the UKMHA in conjunction with members who
carry out on-site maintenance and repair of their customers’ material handling and plant equipment.
The Charter stipulates that all engineers must be provided with a safe area in which to carry out their
work and outlines the specific requirements of such zones. These requirements will be discussed in
further detail at the convention, with members encouraged to give feedback.
UKMHA members and non-members alike who have engineers attending their sites are being
encouraged to sign up to the new Charter and demonstrate their commitment to helping the
Association improve standards.
The new Charter comes after the IMHX-launch of the association’s latest Guidance Note, GN70,
which is a response to the evolving technology used to power battery electric and hybrid-powered
trucks. The higher voltages involved with new functions such as regenerative braking, lithium-ion
batteries and electric drives pose a risk to the safety of engineers unless they are fully aware of the
hazards and how to avoid them.
David Goss, Technical Director, UKMHA said: “Anyone with a stake in this important industry will
recognise the importance of keeping workers safe, as such they cannot afford to miss the Safety
Convention. The UKMHA firmly believes this is a must-attend event for anyone involved in material
handling safety, especially those overseeing the safe operation of material handling equipment.”
The theme of this year’s event is best practice in Operator Training and there will be a series of
must-see presentations, all delivered by experts in their fields, on the importance of correct training
procedures for anyone operating material handling equipment.
“The UKMHA is all too aware of the pressures businesses are currently facing, and the cost
commitments involved in attending such an event. Which is why we are pleased to be offering a
special discount on attending this year’s event,” added Mr Goss. “Anyone buying one full price ticket
at the discounted rate of £112 [formerly £140] for members or £153.60 [formerly £192] for nonassociation members,
will automatically receive a second ticket free. Take the opportunity, courtesy
of the UKMHA, to bring along a client or contact who might also benefit from hearing the important
messages of this year’s convention.”
Presentations on the theme of safety and operator training by recognised industry experts will be
followed by case studies from leading retailers Homebase and Travis Perkins. In tandem with the
presentations, there will also be a break-out exhibition area featuring displays from leading material
handling companies including A-Safe, B&B Attachments, Consolidated Fork Truck Services (CFTS),
Collective Intelligence Group, Combilift, Elokon, FB Chain Ltd, Flexi Narrow Aisle, Hella, Mentor
Training, RTITB and ZoneSafe.
The UKMHA National Safety Convention 2022 takes place on Thursday 17th November at the Heart
of England Conference & Events Centre, Meriden Road, Fillongley, Coventry CV7 8DX.
Those wishing to attend can take advantage of the ticket discount by visiting
https://ukmha.org.uk/training/ukmha-national-fork-lift-safety-convention-2022/