The food processing plant was referred to Alvarado and its Watchman Forklift Collision Avoidance product by another satisfied customer using the product. After discussions with a knowledgeable Alvarado customer service personnel, the manufacturer purchased 7 Watchman units. Since installing the Watchman units, the company has not experienced any accidents involving forklifts and their high speed roll up doors.
Major Houston food processor implements Alvarado forklift avoidance system
Background
A Houston, Texas food processing plant uses forklifts to transport food between facilities, through high speed roll up doors.
Last February, the food processing plant suffered a forklift accident causing twenty-seven thousand dollars in damage to their high speed roll up door and structure. Additionally, an employee was struck, sustaining injuries resulting in a workman’s compensation claim and lost production time.
The preventable accident occurred when the forklift mast struck the doorway, destroying the roll up door, causing damage to the door frame and striking the employee. Had a Watchman been installed, the products loud 105db alarm and bright flashing lights would have alerted the driver, employee and management to the impending collision.
Challenge
After the accident, the processing plant instituted additional employee safety training and sought a reliable, yet affordable, solution to warn of future collisions.
“After installing the Watchman, we have not had one accident involving a forklift and our warehouse high speed roll up doors! We have even added more Watchman units to help protect our overhead ammonia lines.”
– Jay Patterson, Safety Manager, Houston, TX
Solution
The food processing plant was referred to Alvarado and its Watchman Forklift Collision Avoidance product by another satisfied customer using the product.
After discussions with a knowledgeable Alvarado customer service personnel, the manufacturer purchased 7 Watchman units. Two units where installed by the roll up door. Five additional units where installed at locations next to overhanging ammonia lines where forklifts travel.
Impact
Since installing the Watchman units, the company has not experienced any accidents involving forklifts and their high speed roll up doors.
Adding the additional Watchman units in front of the ammonia lines has prevented a costly and hazardous accident. A forklift operator struck a Watchman unit in front of an ammonia line, activating the loud alarm, alerting the driver and other personnel throughout the facility.
Alvarado Advantage
Watchman units are easy to install. The units are manufactured from virtually crack resistant ABS tube material with impact resistant circuitry and wiring.
Each unit comes with a one year warranty and is supported by Alvarado’s knowledgeable sales and service personnel who are available to discuss your specific requirements.
A modern manufacturing facility, unmatched quality, expertise and support are just a few reasons that many of the world’s most respected companies use our products again and again.