Keytroller, a manufacturer of electronic safety and weighing devices, has unveiled two products to combat soaring summer temperatures—the COOLTROLLER Dual Fan Cooling Forklift Seat Cushion and the COOLTROLLER Double Headed Operator Cooling Fans.

As summer temperatures in many regions continue to get warmer every year, it is imperative that both employers and employees are aware and prepared for the dangers of heat stress. Workers exposed to extreme heat (both indoor and outdoor) may be at risk of heat stroke, which can lead to serious illness and even death. Forklift operators are especially at risk, since they often perform long shifts in these conditions.

Under the General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1970, employers are required to provide their employees with a place of employment that “is free from recognizable hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious harm to employees.”

The courts have interpreted OSHA’s general duty clause to mean that an employer has a legal obligation to provide a workplace free of conditions or activities that either the employer or industry recognizes as hazardous and that cause, or are likely to cause, death or serious physical harm to employees when there is a feasible method to abate the hazard. This includes heat-related hazards.

“Employers have a responsibility to protect their employees from the brutal summer heat, but protection also significantly impacts the bottom line, since productivity notoriously slows down during the summer,” said Terry Wickman, president, Keytroller. “Keeping your forklift operators safe from the summer heat ensures better productivity for tomorrow and years beyond.”

The Dual Fan Cooling Forklift Seat Cushion and Double Headed Operator Cooling Fans.

COOLTROLLER Dual Fan Cooling Forklift Seat Cushion

• 16″ x 16″ seat with two input fans and heavy-duty bamboo platelets for dispersing air out;
• 5′ cable (12VDC input only) voltage converter required for 24-48VDC vehicles;
• On/off switch in line in cable – should be connected to switched power;
• Easy to install—simply place on seat or back of seat;
• Sized to fit any seat;
• Moving air continuously cools driver’s bottom or back;
• Low current draw of 3W—minimum load on vehicle electrical system.

COOLTROLLER Double Headed Operator Cooling Fans

• Dual adjustable position fans—each fan head is independently adjustable (360 degree both horizontal and vertical);
• 5′ cable (12VDC input only)—voltage converter required for 24-48VDC vehicles;
• On/off switch on device with Hi/Lo settings—should be connected to switched power;
• Easy to install—mounts to overhead guard, in front, behind or beside the operator;
• 100% pure copper motors;
• Ultra quiet—low noise design <45dB;
• 8”H  X 3.5” D  X 5.5” H.

Founded in 1988, Keytroller, LLC designs, manufactures and supplies a full line of electronic safety devices designed for forklifts, construction equipment, aerial lifts, personal carriers, boats and vehicles.