Technology for Forklift Safety Used by EHS Managers
- John Buttery
- Nov 16
- 4 min read
Forklift-pedestrian near-misses are not rare—they’re routine. In the urgency of daily operations, these moments often go unreported and unnoticed. But for EHS professionals, every close call is an opportunity to see the future—and prevent it from becoming a headline.
Thanks to the rise of real-time visual safety systems, those opportunities no longer have to be missed. Technology for forklift safety is evolving beyond mirrors, alarms, and PPE. AI-powered pedestrian detection now gives managers something they’ve never had before: visibility into what almost happened.
“Most companies invest in safety after something happens. The smarter ones invest when nothing happened—but almost did.”— John Buttery.
Why Near-Misses Are a Strategic Priority
Most leaders don’t need a reminder that forklifts are dangerous. But here’s what often gets overlooked: the true risk lies in the patterns you can't see—the daily near-misses that don’t make a report or prompt an investigation.
Common causes include:
✅ Limited driver visibility due to high loads or mast design
✅ Fast-changing workflows, especially during shift transitions
✅ Contractors, temps, and visitors unfamiliar with site layouts
✅ Shared zones with poor separation between people and machines
✅ Overreliance on operator instincts instead of system awareness
Tracking and responding to near-misses is no longer just a safety measure—it’s a business-critical strategy.
Smart Detection Technology Helps EHS Leaders Act Sooner
Today’s leading forklift safety tools don’t just warn operators. They record data, provide visual context, and help EHS managers make evidence-based decisions.
At Riodatos, our Proxicam system is designed to make this easy, accurate, and actionable.
ProxiCam's core benefits include:
🔘 Real-time alerts when pedestrians enter high-risk proximity
🔘 AI-powered detection of people—not boxes, shadows, or equipment
🔘 Visual confirmation via edge-based cameras
🔘 Operation in low light, glare, and obstructed sightlines
🔘 One-unit deployment for testing before scaling
Most importantly, it works without requiring tags, Wi-Fi, or heavy infrastructure—which means you can protect everyone, not just the people who follow protocol.
“You can’t prevent what you don’t see. Technology for forklift safety makes the invisible visible—so action doesn’t wait for an accident.”— John Buttery.
Behavior Change: The Hidden Win of Smart Forklift Safety Tools
One of the most underappreciated outcomes of detection technology is how it changes driver behavior—even without formal retraining. When operators know they’ll be alerted if someone enters their zone, they instinctively:
Stay more aware of blind spots and pedestrian areas.
Anticipate alerts and drive more defensively.
Avoid risky shortcuts in busy areas.
This passive behavioral reinforcement leads to fewer risks, better habits, and ultimately, a stronger safety culture—without adding friction to the operator’s workflow.
Four Steps to Technology for Forklift Safety
Audit Your Risk Zones - Don’t rely on assumptions. Walk your facility with a critical eye for blind spots, bottlenecks, and unprotected intersections.
Pilot a Camera-Based System - Start with one forklift in a high-risk area using ProxiCam. Real-world data will tell you more in one week than a full policy review.
Use Footage for Training - Turn near-miss footage into actionable lessons. Showing operators what almost happened is more impactful than hypothetical slides.
Let the Data Guide Policy - Use the system’s logs to identify trends—when near-misses happen, where, and why. Then adjust traffic flow, retrain crews, or redesign zones.
“Near-miss prevention isn’t a checklist—it’s a mindset. Technology is just the multiplier.”— John Buttery.
Conclusion
Preventing forklift accidents isn’t just about having the right policies—it’s about having the right tools at the right time. And that time is before something happens, not after.
As near-misses continue to be the strongest leading indicator of workplace injury, AI-powered camera systems like ProxiCam offer a practical way to track, respond to, and learn from risk as it unfolds.
Technology for forklift safety isn’t about replacing people—it’s about supporting them. Helping operators see what they can’t. Helping managers act before an incident occurs. And helping companies build a culture that values prevention as much as protection.
Call-To-Action
Looking to bring more visibility into your forklift-pedestrian safety program? Start with a single ProxiCam deployment, and let the system show you where your real risks are.
Want to discuss use cases, deployment options, or build a business case? I’d love to help.
About the Author
With over 25 years in industrial technology, sales leadership, and safety innovation, I work with companies to apply emerging tech where it matters most—on the front lines. My background spans enterprise go-to-market strategy, channel development, and product adoption across manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics.
At Riodatos, we develop AI-powered safety systems that make forklift operations safer, smarter, and more accountable. My personal mission is to help EHS leaders align tools with outcomes—because the right safety technology should drive not only compliance, but confidence.
Whether you’re looking to reduce incident rates, improve training, or prepare for the next audit, I’d love to hear how you're approaching safety—and how we can help.
Social Media Prompts
💭 Share your thoughts - What safety data are you missing because you can't see your near-misses?
🔷 Please like, repost, and share - Your network might be one insight away from preventing a serious incident.
📧 Email me at jwbuttery@gmail.com
Technology for Forklift Safety Used by EHS Managers
Forklift-pedestrian near-misses aren’t random—they’re early warnings. Here's how EHS leaders are using camera-based AI systems like ProxiCam to:📍 Detect real-time pedestrian risk without tags📈 Track and analyze near-miss hotspots🔧 Train drivers with real-world footage📦 Start with one unit, learn fast, and scale smart
Prevention doesn’t have to be complicated—just smart.
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