At the beginning of 2012 Toyota Material Handling UK launched ‘Taking Care with Toyota’, a campaign which aimed to increase awareness of key safety issues relating to materials handling equipment whilst also promoting best practice that helps to reduce the risk of accidents. The programme focused on three key areas – product, people and process.

In the challenging economic climate, it has become more important for companies to focus on safety, not only to protect their workers, but also to reduce the costs relating to injury and damage. As a leader in the industry, Toyota has always been committed to offering as much support as they can. Improving safety is often viewed as a time consuming and expensive process but Toyota believe that by focusing on all these three areas, together companies can improve safety in the workplace whilst improving efficiency and reducing costs.

Products – Safer by Design

Toyota passionately believes that safety is a key driver in the material handling operation of any business.

Toyota’s range of forklifts and warehouse equipment is safer by design.  The product range features unique innovations and design features supporting safe operation including:

  • Toyota’s System of Active Stability (SAS) – reducing the risk of tip over, protecting the drivers, goods and truck (standard on all forklifts – excluding Toyota 5FG/5FD)
  • BT Reflex reach truck with tilting cab – reducing the risk of neck strain plus a clear view for safe operation at height (Tilting cab is an option on BT Reflex E-series range)
  • BT Pro Lifter hand pallet truck – requiring up to 67% less starting effort to get a load moving compared to a standard hand pallet truck

People – Delivering Safety in the Workplace

People are the most important asset in any business, although – they are also one of the greatest costs. Toyota encourages customers to focus on total costs including damage to goods and training. Helping to raise awareness of good operator driving techniques can help to create a safer workplace, and help operators be more productive, saving costs.

2012 also saw the development of a number of free resources – all available via the Toyota website; including the Manual Handling Guide, Daily Operator Checks and a Forklift Safety Guide, as well as Toyota Knowledgebase, a digital newsletter for customers and prospects focused on sharing knowledge and best practice.

Internally Toyota Material Handling UK is focusing on providing our team members with information about healthier living and safety in the workplace. We have developed dedicated areas in the depots focused on safety.  This process started with the creation of a Safety Dojo in one depot and is continuing with the introduction of new safety boards – focusing on health, safety and the environment installed across the UK depots, with the objective to keep safety at the forefront of people’s  minds through providing clear accessible safety information.

Process – Driving a Culture of Safety through People and Process

The third link on Taking Care with Toyota is process management. Providing safe trucks and training is a good foundation to improving safety, but one of the main challenges is how to sustain safety levels and continually make improvements. Toyota members have tools at their disposal to help companies create a culture of safety.

Toyota has worked with hundreds of managers over the last year demonstrating the benefits of the Toyota Production System (TPS). Kaizen, a pillar of the Toyota culture promotes tools like 5S (Sift, Sort, Sweep, Spic-and-Span, Sustain) which encourage all members to take care of their work environment, helping to improve efficiency and creating a safer workspace through visual reminders.

Toyota are also launching a web based programme and a road map to share how TPS can help any business reduce waste and add value critical to business success in the current economic climate. This is available through Toyota Knowledgebase. Customers can sign up via the Toyota website.

To find out more about Toyota Material Handling UK’s Year of Safety visit our website www.toyota-forklifts.co.uk

2012 and beyond

Taking Care with Toyota is about safety in the workplace, helping customers to drive down costs, through product and process but also taking care of the environment. In 2013 Toyota will continue to show companies how working together will help to improve their operations.

In addition, IMHX 2013, NEC Birmingham 19-22 March will pave the way for future technology and alternative energy sources –clearly demonstrating Toyota’s on-going commitment to drive down customers for customers, improving safety and being a responsible partner.