The Toyota Forklift Challenge at Perth's Market City saw forklift operators competing for prizes while raising awareness of the importance of safety in the workplace.
The grand final, held on Friday 15 August at the Perth Fresh Fruit and
Vegetable Markets in Canning Vale, saw 10 contestants navigating a course
designed to simulate a range of activities typical of a forklift driver's
normal working day.
The drivers were awarded points for displaying safe forklift driving habits
while negotiating the course, rather than how quickly they completed it.
First place and a $500 Coles/Myer gift card went to Daniel Bunter from Smiths
Enterprises while Tristan Hill, also from Smiths, came second and collected a
$250 gift card. Third place and a $100 gift card went to Laurence Thompson of
Fresh Express.
"The Perth Market Authority was pleased to host Toyota's Safety Forklift
Challenge, which is a great initiative from Toyota to encourage safe forklift
practices at the market," said Perth Market Authority CEO Stephen Ward.
"Safety is our number one priority and I was very pleased to see so many
forklift drivers and tenants supporting this safety awareness initiative and
participating in the event."
Toyota Material Handling Perth branch manager Lance Cross said the competition is a practical way to get the safety message across where it matters most.
"Events like this that really get the drivers thinking about workplace
safety and how it applies to their everyday working lives," he said.
Toyota Forklift Challenge contestants used the Toyota 8-Series 8FG18
counterbalance forklift in the final.
The design and safety features of Toyota's versatile 8-Series include Automatic
Fork Levelling Control to level the forks during loading, ergonomically
designed controls and smooth, quiet operation from the Toyota engine.
Select 8-Series forklift models also feature Toyota's exclusive System of
Active Stability comprising the advanced Active Swing Lock Cylinder, which can
help improve forklift stability and assist to reduce the potential for lateral
tip-overs.
Entrants to the Perth Markets Toyota Forklift Challenge registered by
completing an entry form containing questions regarding safe forklift driving
habits. The top 10 entrants then moved to the practical round held at the
markets.
Both the questionnaire and practical round were overseen and judged by
workplace training course provider TCE Training.
1st prize winner Daniel Bunter accepts his award