Softrack System Reduces Forklift Accident Risk by 98%

 Report Prepared Based on NR12 Confirms Efficiency of the Electronic Checklist in Safe Equipment Management

Forklifts are among the most commonly used vehicles to optimize industrial, logistical, and internal material handling processes, enabling productivity and efficiency in load movements. The fact that they are intensively used makes them major contributors to workplace accidents in industry, warehouses, and distribution centers. The accidents and incidents that occur during forklift operation can be caused by various factors, such as lack of operator training, excessive speed, lack of equipment maintenance, overload, among other aspects.

NR12 (Normative Instruction 12) presents the minimum requirements for the prevention of accidents and occupational diseases in machines and equipment that have non-human action in their operation. This Norm covers everything from the design stage, manufacturing, marketing, and importation of machines and equipment to their effective use. Therefore, any company that has machines and equipment that pose risks to its employees and those indirectly involved in their operations must comply with this Norm.

Technical report issued by AMC Engenharia Industrial Ltda, based on NR12 and ABNT NBR 12.100 in a comparative risk assessment, proves that the use of the Softrack system in the management of forklifts and other equipment for internal material handling reduces the risk of workplace accidents by 98%. The report is signed by engineer Abdoral Milaré de Carvalho.

In general, issues that can lead to fines occur throughout the life and use of the equipment with the deterioration of characteristics or some neglect from management that does not monitor license expirations, maintenance, etc. The Softrack system requires that many of these points be checked almost continuously, with electronic records of conditions and the possibility of blocking the equipment or preventing an unqualified person from operating it.

The Softrack system basically consists of managing the machine through checklists made before and after the equipment is turned on, with operators needing to respond to specific carefully selected questions that provide for the verification of existing compliance, ensuring that, when in compliance, the machine is used correctly. If any non-compliance occurs at any of the performed stages, the equipment is blocked, requiring consent from another responsible professional. This allows the company to increase workplace safety through the electronic checklist and ensure transparency in operation.

Fleet management systems monitor work, involving the movement and performance of forklifts and internal material handling equipment, allowing alerts in case of incidents, accidents, or other safety issues. Release systems for using the equipment can prevent misuse or non-compliance with mandatory risk assessments, as prescribed by regulatory standards. An involuntary action or even its circumvention can lead to a fatality. The probability of this event with the Softrack device is classified as “almost impossible” in the risk analysis parameter.

A reference in the manufacturing and supply of railway and industrial castings, AmstedMaxion has been using the Softrack system since 2016. During this period, the company has managed to reduce the accident and damage rate in forklift operations at its plant by 80%. Currently, the system is installed in 18 forklifts. “We have started managing our internal occurrence control system with data from the Softrack system, which helped identify the operator through the electronic checklist. The indicators generated by the system have assisted us in situations such as speed control, acceleration in lifting, conduct adjustment, and operator handbook,” says Edir Ribeiro Paes, planning and logistics manager of the company.

“Remote monitoring and telematics systems for forklifts provide a variety of benefits that can help improve safety, efficiency, and visibility. These systems can be particularly valuable for organizations that heavily rely on forklifts in their operations,” reinforces Ricardo Alexandre Raschiatore, director of Softrack.

 About Softrack

Founded in 2013, Softrack was created with the goal of innovating in the fleet management of equipment for internal handling. The company designs and manufactures its own systems and equipment with 100% national technology, thus offering the most complete and specific solution in the Brazilian market. Showing significant growth since its foundation, it operates throughout Brazil and Latin America, with its system running on more than 3,500 equipment and over 100 clients.