As any safety manager will tell you, it’s the little things — the routine, the ordinary, the things you expect to get done that don’t get done — that cause most of the accidents. Like fastening seat belts.
JLG has developed an optional seat belt system that makes it easy to remember to use them and hard to ignore. What the company calls its “seatbelt engagement and operator presence option” is being offered on JLG 742, 943, 1043, 1055 and 1255 telehandler models.
The system includes seatbelt engagement assurance and operator presence functionality, as well as a high visibility orange seatbelt. To make sure your operators are paying attention, the system uses visual and audible alarms. It will also limit machine functions when the operator is not buckled up to enhance safety during telehandler operation.
“Key in/seat belt buckled” is a common safety protocol. Anytime an operator is sitting in a JLG machine with this option, the seatbelt engagement assurance produces a visible and audible alarm that activates whenever an operator is seated but unbuckled.
For example, when the operator is seated with the vehicle ignition key on, alarms will be activated immediately and continuously. The alarms will cease when the operator leaves the seat or turns the vehicle ignition off. The alarms are intended to alert and remind the operator and will not prevent engine startup or hydraulic and drive functions, similar to seat belt alarms in automobiles.
Operator presence functionality prohibits engine start and hydraulic functions if an operator is not present. Additionally, if the system detects a loss of seat pressure during operation, one of the following will occur:
