Adoption of harmonised international standards for materials handling equipment was a major item discussed by the Council of the Australian Industrial Truck Association (AITA) at its meeting held recently in Sydney.
AITA Council received update reports from its Engineering Committee, chaired by Mark Fritzen of NACCO Materials Handling Group, on the progress being made by a number of committees of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) on the revision and development of global standards for the design of forklifts, telescopic handlers, reach stackers, and pedestrian controlled equipment.
Australia has been represented at various ISO meetings held in recent months in London, Hamburg, New Orleans and Sydney by Toyota Industrial Equipment product safety standards and engineering manager Stan Palmer, who is also a key member of AITA's Engineering Committee and Chair of Standards Australia Committee ME-026.
AITA firmly believes that the adoption of harmonised international standards in Australia is an essential requirement for a safe and efficient materials handling industry.
The Annual General Meeting of AITA was also held recently. Brian Hoare, general manager of Crown Equipment, was elected President, replacing Paul Bennett of BT Lift Trucks who stood down after serving three years in the position.
Steve Stewart, general manager wholesale, of Powerlift Australia, was elected deputy president.
AITA represents all major suppliers of forklifts and ancillary equipment in Australia. It meets as a full Council three times annually, normally in Sydney.