Health welfare for forklift truck drivers

Forklift truck drivers often complain of pain in the neck, back, arms and shoulders. Frequently the cause is to be found in the unfavourable movement sequences involved in operating a forklift truck.

Twisting round to look back is more the rule than the exception. Or stretching up to see what's happening when grasping and depositing the load. In addition, the frequent jolts caused by uneven floor and road surfaces place an extreme strain on the spinal column.

Suspension system as basic requirement

Already the basic requirements for a back-friendly forklift truck seat therefore include a suspension system to clearly reduce the effect of jolts on the spinal column with a drastic cutback in harmful vibrations.

Adjustable seat and backrest

An ergonomic forklift truck seat must allow the upper part of the body to turn, offering corresponding support, and warrant freedom of movement for the arms.

The backrest with fully variable height and angle adjustment and lordosis support offers the body optimum, individual support to relieve the back.

The seat is adequately dimensioned and fully variable. Other details such as extending the seat area length and angle, seat heating and intelligent shock absorbers with roadway detection are appropriate additional features that are conducive to the driver's health.

Reducing sick leave

Ergonomic driver's seats can also be retrofitted to older forklift trucks. Driver's seats require regular maintenance to warrant full functionality.

The back-friendly forklift truck seat combined with correct behaviour patterns (see "Further information") helps to promote health and welfare while making an important contribution to reducing periods of absence for sick leave.

Minimum requirements

• Adjustable air suspension to absorb vibrations and jolts
• Shock absorption in the backrest
• Guidance for the pelvic/lumbar area
• Height-adjustable backrest with firm structure
• Fully adjustable angle
• Extensive individual support of the lumbar area and the upper pelvic area
• Adequate thigh support and optimum pressure distribution thanks to:
• ... longitudinal adjustment of the whole seat
• ... flat seat surface
• ... flat side profiles
• ... seat at least 41 cm deep and 50 cm wide
• ... easily accessible controls

Also appropriate

• Fully automatic air suspension (with weight detection)
• Intelligent shock absorbers (roadway detection)
• Seat heating
• Climate-friendly covering fabrics
• Two-point safety belt
• Adjustable lordosis support

Unfortunately none at present.

Tips and assistance for ergonomic operation of forklift trucks

Getting into the forklift truck incorrectly can be detrimental to the spinal column and knee joints. Due to the lack of space, there is a particular risk of twisting the lumbar spine and bent knee joints.

The forklift truck operator should make every effort to reduce this risk with controlled movements and by deliberate use of the trunk muscles. The ergonomic seat is only as good as its individual adjustments to the driver.

A good ergonomic seat that has been correctly adjusted supports the spinal column, avoids cramped positions and reduces the transfer of vibrations and jolts to the operator's body.

An operator with dynamic sitting behaviour

• adjusts his seat individually.
• ensures he is sitting correctly: when sitting upright, he tilts his pelvis forwards a little, lifts his breastbone and stretches his cervical spine.
• keeps changing his upright body posture.
• keeps doing exercises as far as possible to loosen up.
• avoids repetitive movement sequences.
• gets down from the forklift truck during work breaks. In this way, he won't get tired so quickly and is more responsive, thus reducing the risk of accidents.

Make sure you are sitting upright

• Use an imaginary golden thread to pull the back of your head upwards.
• Avoid pushing your chin forwards or hunching your shoulders.
• Avoid repetitive or extreme movements of your head.
• Protect your neck from draughts and from the cold by wearing suitable clothing. Use work breaks and stoppages to do special exercises for your neck and shoulders.
• Plan your work well to avoid unnecessary stress. This helps to reduce the number of days of sick leave! Furthermore, enhanced motivation improves work performance and quality. Reduced fatigue improves attention capacity, making an important contribution for greater safety - for all road users.