New system also features a breakthrough vehicle restraint light communication system for another level of protection against potentially catastrophic trailer-separation accidents
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Rite-Hite Corporation introduces the Rite-Vu™ Light Communication System: one of the only systems that detects when a forklift is inside of a trailer and alerts loading dock personnel to stay clear of dock openings while any trailer is in service, improving safety and productivity. The system is designed to help prevent forklift-pedestrian collisions, a leading cause of forklift-related fatalities.
Rite-Vu uses highly visible lights to clearly tell forklift drivers and pedestrians when a forklift is inside a trailer so that they can exercise proper caution against that forklift backing out. The system also uses lights and an alarm to greatly enhance communication about the status of trailers secured to the dock with Rite-Hite’s Dok-Lok® vehicle restraints, adding another level of protection against potentially catastrophic trailer-separation accidents.
According to Rite-Hite Vice President Joe Manone, Rite-Vu was designed to address the need for better visual communication at the loading dock. It’s a safety concern that is top of mind with Rite-Hite customers, he says. It’s also a key issue tracked by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which reports that the second leading cause of forklift-related fatalities is accidents that occur when a forklift strikes a pedestrian.
“Unlike other systems used to guard against forklift-pedestrian collisions, Rite-Vu is one of the first and only technologies to address the issue in one of the most dangerous areas of the facility – the loading dock,” Manone says. “The system takes communication and safety at the dock to a whole new level by providing clear visual communication to the right person, at the right time, and at exactly the right location.”
A safer dock is a more productive dock. By providing status-at-a-glance, Rite-Vu also supports visual management techniques that many companies incorporate into lean manufacturing best practices.
Developed after years of research and extensive customer feedback, the Rite-Vu system consists of three individual products: Pedestrian-Vu, Corner-Vu and Leveler-Vu.
Pedestrian-Vu
Pedestrian-Vu is one of the industry’s only systems that detects when a forklift is inside a trailer – and visually communicates its status to personnel around the loading dock.
The system includes an infrared transmitter mounted on the forklift; receivers mounted on the overhead dock doorframe with an audible alarm; two clear acrylic virtual filament lighting elements with a replaceable amber LED bulb in each; and a control box. The lights feature virtual filament technology, which allows for significantly fewer LEDs per light while providing a vibrant light-emitting element. It also delivers clear directional light that minimizes light pollution. The lights, positioned on either side of the dock doorframe at eye level, turn on when a lift truck enters the trailer. In so doing it gives pedestrians and other forklift drivers a clear signal that the trailer is in use. When the forklift exits the trailer, the lights go off, and dock personnel know it is safe to proceed.
If the Dok-Lok used to secure the trailer to the loading dock is inadvertently unlocked, Pedestrian-Vu sounds the audible alarm. As such, it provides another layer of protection for forklift operators during the trailer loading and unloading process. Pedestrian-Vu also switches the Dok-Lok light signals on the exterior of the dock from green to red, telling the truck driver it is unsafe to depart.
Corner-Vu and Leveler-Vu
Corner-Vu and Leveler-Vu are one of the first systems to provide clear, visual communication of the vehicle restraint status directly in the forklift operators’ line of sight - when they are entering and exiting the trailer. By mirroring the lights on the Dok-Lok control box, green lights confirm that the Dok-Lok restraint is locked and the trailer is secured, and red lights warn of an unsafe restraint condition.
Corner-Vu, which also uses virtual filament technology, provides immediate Dok-Lok status to the forklift operator before entering a trailer. The lights, located on each side of the upper corners of the interior dock door, feature a clear acrylic virtual filament with a replaceable dual-color LED bulb.
Leveler-Vu confirms the status of the vehicle restraint to the forklift operator while inside the trailer and provides a reference point for forklift operators backing out of the trailer. The low voltage LED lights mount to the back of the leveler by sliding into the Rite-Hite standard weather seal channel.
The Rite-Vu Light Communication System products can be purchased individually, or as a complete visual communications package.
A fact sheet outlining the details of Rite-Vu and information related to forklift-pedestrian collisions is available upon request.
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For more information please contact:
Jon Schumacher
414-973-3667
jschumacher@ritehite.com
Mike Grennier
262-623-7377
mikeg@integreadvertising.com
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