I am sure many of our employees often wonder where MLA stands in the Forklift Truck Industry in Australia. MLA is, and has always been, a profitable company and whilst it is not in the first two or three in the market share category we like to think we are, never the less, the market leader...
For the full article please download the pdf here.
New Fleet of Service Vans for MLA
MLA Holdings is proud to announce the delivery of a new fleet of company service vans. Fourteen brand new vehicles will be introduced nationally, with the roll out starting in Victoria in August. The new vans provide superior safety features, an improved interior layout that maximises available space and carrying capacities as well as delivering improved fuel efficiency, and lower running costs...
For the full article please download the pdf here.
MLA Partners with Hutchison Ports Australia
MLA Holdings Pty Ltd is pleased to announce a new partnership with Hutchison Ports Australia, who are backed by the considerable technical, operational and financial muscle of the world's leading port investor, developer and operator, Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH). MLA has successfully delivered and commissioned a total of four new SANY Reach Stackers and one new SANY Empty Container Handler during August at Sydney International ContainerTerminals - Port Botany and the new intermodal freight terminal at Enfield. This compliments the existing 8 SANY port machines delivered to Brisbane Container Terminals and Sydney Container Terminals during 2013 in the initial phase of terminal development...
For the full article please download the pdf here.
New Blood, Same Quality
MLA is pleased to introduce 6 new employees that have recently joined the team. The new starters bring with them a wide variety of expertise and knowledge and are sure to be an asset to the company. The large number of fresh faces in recent times emphasises MLA's continual growth and high status within the materials handling industry...
To meet all our new faces please download the pdf here.
There are many risks associated with not wearing a seat belt while operating a counterbalance Forklift Truck, with overturning posing the biggest threat of operators being crushed. When a forklift overturns, the safest place for an operator is in the operator's compartment with the seatbelt buckled. This ensures the operator cannot try to jump out or be dragged out underneath the forklift if it tips. It is therefore of paramount importance that seat belt laws and regulations are strictly followed when operating a forklift truck. A sequential seat belt-travel motion interlock uses state of the art technology to ensure that the operator is buckled up before travel motion is possible.
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies. The ISO 3691 series has been developed to provide globally relevant International Standards for industrial trucks. The Australian Standard for forklifts, AS2359, is based on ISO 3691. The ISO 3691.8 technical specification safety requirements for Australia in regards to seat belts for counterbalance forklifts are as follows:
Clause 4.1.10 Operator restraint
The operator's seat shall have a lateral support device that reduces the risk of entrapment of the operator's torso between the truck and the ground in the event of a tip-over, provided the operator wears a properly adjusted lap-type seat belt.
Where seatbelts are fitted, they shall be interlocked to prevent the truck from travel motion unless the seatbelt is buckled. In addition, the seatbelt interlock shall include the sequencing/logic of the seatbelt switch with a seat pressure switch. The weight of the operator on the seat shall be detected prior to the seatbelt switch being engaged. In addition to the seatbelt interlock sequencing, it shall be linked to the neutral switch and the handbrake to ensure it is applied before the truck can be started. The system shall be tamper-proof.
It is not just on the open road that seat belts can save lives, ISO and Australian Standard requirements for forklift trucks should continually be monitored. All new Mitsubishi Counterbalance Forklift Trucks and Vulcan Heavy Equipment delivered by MLA Holdings are compliant with these new ISO safety standards.
Information for this article was sourced from; www.iso.org.
Many serious accidents have occurred when people fail to use a correctly designed and constructed work platform, either from falls or being trapped by moving parts of the forklift elevating system.
Standing on the forklift tynes, on pallets or in stillages, are common causes of falls from height, while the improper use of a well-designed work platform can also result in serious injury.
Clause 142 (3) (d) of the OHS Regulation 2001 states that: Persons are not to be lifted or suspended by any plant or its attachment (other than plant specifically designed for the lifting or suspending of persons), unless:
The use of another method of lifting or suspending is not reasonably practicable
A suitable and adequate personnel box or carrier, designed for the purpose, is used and securely attached to the plant, and
Means are provided by which the people being lifted or suspended can have a safe outlet from the personnel box, carrier or plant in the event of a failure in the normal operation of the plant.
*If you use a separate work platform or box fitted to a forklift truck then you must ensure that people in the box are securely attached, stay within the work box, are wearing safety harnesses if working at height, and can exit safety from the workbox in the event of mishaps.
The following measures must also be put into place when using work platforms or boxes:
Forklift trucks are equipped with flow restrictors or similar to prevent free fall in the event of a hose failure.
Work boxes should only be attached to compliant lift trucks with a load capacity plate clearly stating which attachments may be used.
Lift truck should only be operated on hard level surfaces and kept stabilised at all times while lifting people.
All work must be carried out while standing on the deck of the platform, not on a ladder or other object.
The operator of the forklift is to remain at the controls at all times during use of platform.
Workers are trained how to use work boxes safely and regular safety checks are performed before each use.
During a clean- up of my files at the end of the financial year I found a memo that I had sent to all Managers back in December 1998. Yes! 15 years ago, but I believe its significance is still valid. The practice and implementation of this message will continue to play an important role in MLA's success.
Firstly, you must discipline yourself to always give your clients the best possible service and then see all your staff have the same attitude. Poor service is unacceptable. Good service is not enough. To succeed and get ahead of competitors we must give superior service at all times to all customers...
For the full article please download the pdf here.
Early June in Singapore is hot and humid. It is also the time and venue for the Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks 2014 Dealer Management Conference, the first opportunity for such a meeting in more than 2 years. The highlight of the conference was the launch of 3 new product ranges; a new 6 & 7 ton range with reduced turning radius and higher retained capacity, a new 10 to 16 ton range of sophisticated forklifts with an extensive option list, and finally a new sit-on reach truck that offers lift height of up to 13 meters. With the success of the conference and the launch of the new ranges the future for Mitsubishi Forklifts is looking bright and exciting...
For the full article please download the pdf here.
Reduce Workplace Injury
Tired of moving material around with a hand pallet jack? Frustrated by not being able to work effectively in confined spaces? Concerned your staff may injure themselves moving heavy pallets? Mitsubishi has the solution! This Mitsubishi PBP16-20N2 power pallet series has been specifically developed for outstanding performance in challenging environments and to offer a comprehensive solution to safe horizontal movement of pallets...
For the full article please download the pdf here.
Mitsubishi Electric Forklifts: Delivering what you need
The Mitsubishi FB-CA series comes with a range of advanced features such as all AC motors providing seamless interaction between the operator and forklift. More powerful functional capabilities are achieved in truck travelling, hydraulic operations and steering. All Mitsubishi Electric forklifts are now equipped with energy saving regenerative systems designed to conserve battery power and contribute to higher productivity...
For the full article please download the pdf here.
Frank Cullen Remembered
It's with great fondness that we remember NSW Senior Area Manager Frank Cullen who passed away recently after battling long term health problems. Frank and his amazing sense of humour will be sorely missed by all MLA staff and his clients, his loving family and friends, and particularly by his mates from the golf club...
For the full article please download the pdf here.
CHANGES in world trade and the shipping environment have created ever increasing competition between ports in Australia and around the world. Improved logistics systems and infrastructure have forced previously non-competing ports into head-to-head competition as their frontiers increasingly overlap. Ports, therefore, are continuously challenged, both physically and operationally. Quality equipment is of paramount importance, it can give a company that sought after advantage that will separate it from the competition. When it comes to loading and unloading empty and full containers, the MLA Vulcan MKII Reach Stacker is the ultimate workhorse. These machines are engineered with unique stability features, ample power, rugged construction, extraordinary operator visibility and manoeuvrability.
MLA has partnered with the SANY Group to produce the ultimate range of heavy equipment to suit the unique qualities of the Australian market. This range includes reach stackers, empty laden container handlers and forklifts between 16 - 46 tonne capacity for exclusive distribution in Australia and New Zealand. The Vulcan MKII from SANY Germany separates itself from other Reach Stackers by its outstanding stability and performance. For the operator a new steering and inching system along with an ergonomic multi-function control joystick ensure outstanding control, easy operation, and an efficient working environment.
Internationally these Reach Stackers are widely used in large and medium sized ports, and is regarded as extremely effective equipment because it achieves maximum space utilisation on container terminals. They are able to do this by having superior handling speeds, unrestricted stacking capabilities, and outstanding manoeuvrability. It has the ability to reach to the second row with a full container and the third row with light weight containers. Furthermore, it can be used for second rail line applications when equipped with the stabilizer option.
Based on its overall performance and after-sales service provided by MLA Holdings, the Vulcan MKII has become the hottest port machinery product in the Australian market. Given the dynamic nature of the ports industry, the Vulcan MKII is a powerful, reliable, and efficient machine that will provide its owners a competitive advantage...
For the full article please download the pdf here.
It's obvious when you think about it. Tyres are what connect your forklift to the ground, so anything that adversely affects their grip will also increase the risk of an accident – which is why it pays to keep a close eye on them. There are several types of tyre checks you can implement:
First is the daily check by the driver. Quick and easy, this involves examining the tyres and the tread for anything unusual; checking that the rims are damage-free and there are no loose elements in the wheel itself. Heavy tear and wear or damage is a useful way of alerting managers to hazards such as rough terrain or kerbs, in which case, remedial action can then be taken.
It's also important to be aware of different tyre types. For example, if the forklift has air-filled pneumatic tyres, you need to inflate them to the correct pressure for the load they carry. Solid tyres on the other hand, sport a wear indicator bar, which should be checked regularly.
Second, there's the regular fleet check. This draws attention to excessively rapid wear, enabling managers to investigate and take measures if necessary. Also, tyre inspections are included in MLA's scheduled preventative maintenance servicing, as it is a legal requirement to maintain the forklift to the manufacturer's specifications.
Our conclusion: Training your drivers to spot and report damage and hazards is the most effective way to increase the life expectancy of your tyres. Performed daily, it means that problems can be resolved quickly. Paying attention to your tyres in this way pays dividends in safety and hard cash terms.
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