Transform Forklifts from Potential Liabilities into Smart, Safety-First Assets

a forklift and a factory drawing

According to the Industrial Truck Association, the average injury-related incident costs $38,000 in direct expenses, with indirect losses reaching $150,000. It also reports that 70% of forklift accidents can be prevented with proper training and safety measures.

Powerfleet, a leader in IoT-enabled fleet management, tackles these challenges with advanced telematics solutions designed for forklifts. By using real-time monitoring, automated controls, and data-driven insights, Powerfleet significantly reduces accidents, ensures regulatory compliance, and promotes a culture of proactive safety.

At the heart of Powerfleet’s offerings is the Forklift Gateway (VAC), a wireless device that securely mounts on industrial vehicles like forklifts and tow tractors. This gateway serves as a central hub, gathering data from onboard sensors and optional add-ons such as GPS, impact detectors, speed monitors, load sensors, and pedestrian proximity alerts.

  • It enforces operator authentication via wireless access control to prevent unauthorized use.
  • Operators must complete digital safety checklists, documenting defects like brake issues or hydraulic leaks.
  • Non-compliant vehicles are automatically locked out of service, eliminating “pencil whipping” and ensuring immediate repairs.
  • The Speed Manager feature dynamically adjusts forklift velocity based on context.
  • Pedestrian proximity detection further bolsters safety by alerting operators to nearby workers via audible alarms or visual indicators.
  • And overload protection prevents tip-overs—the number-one killer of forklift operators

For added reassurance, an integrated seatbelt interlock guarantees the vehicle won’t start unless the seatbelt is fastened, ensuring complete compliance. Real-time event capture enhances Powerfleet’s safety approach. Combined with the Event-Triggered DVR system that records footage seconds before, during, and after incidents like impacts or sudden stops, anonymized clips become valuable tools for operator coaching.

Integrated into Powerfleet’s SaaS-based Unity platform, this data offers fleet managers a unified dashboard to monitor vehicle health, fuel efficiency, and safety metrics. Predictive analytics identify potential failures—such as worn tires or low battery levels—allowing proactive maintenance that prevents breakdowns and downtime.

Companies report over 50% reductions in damage to equipment, products, and facilities after implementation, leading to savings of tens of thousands of dollars for large fleets. Additionally, the improved OSHA compliance provides audit-ready documentation, protecting against citations for inadequate inspections.

And Powerfleet not only reduces accident rates but also enhances productivity, helping operators stay focused on tasks instead of manual logs—while maximizing equipment ROI.

As warehouses move toward automation, investing in telematics clearly delivers benefits: safer workplaces, lower costs, and empowered teams. For organizations focusing on human capital, Powerfleet is more than just technology—it is a commitment to zero incidents.

Enhance Fleet Performance with Intelligent Safety Solutions

forklift warehouse

Glacier Computer has partnered with Powerfleet, a global leader in Internet of Things (IoT) solutions for industrial, logistics, and transportation sectors, to provide equipment and software solutions to improve fleet management and driver safety. By leveraging cutting-edge hardware solution with technologies like AI, real-time telematics, and data analytics, Glacier and Powerfleet’s safety solutions offer proactive risk mitigation, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency.

Powerfleet’s cutting-edge offerings and Glacier Computers’ comprehensive data collection solutions empower productivity and operations while maximizing safety and compliance.

  1. Driver behavior monitoring

At the core of Powerfleet’s vehicle safety framework is driver behavior monitoring, a system designed to detect and correct unsafe driving patterns. Through onboard diagnostics and advanced sensors, the platform monitors parameters such as speed, harsh braking, rapid acceleration, sharp cornering, and seat belt usage. This data is analyzed to generate driver safety scores and actionable insights that fleet managers can use to coach drivers and enforce safe driving standards. Over time, this feedback loop fosters a safety-first culture throughout fleet operations.

forklift and factory

  1. Video telematics

Another cornerstone of the framework is video telematics, which combines AI-powered dashcams with real-time analysis to detect distracted driving, fatigue, and violations such as cellphone use or failure to stop. These dashcams record road-facing and driver-facing footage, offering critical visibility into incidents. In the event of a collision or risky behavior, alerts are generated instantly, allowing for immediate intervention. This protects drivers, reduces liability, and facilitates training and incident reconstruction.

  1. Real-time alerts and predictive analytics

Another critical layer of Powerfleet’s safety approach is real-time alerts and predictive analytics. Powerfleet’s system can anticipate mechanical failures and identify high-risk routes by analyzing trends and aggregating data across vehicles and routes. These predictive capabilities enable maintenance teams to address potential issues before they become safety hazards. Additionally, route-specific safety recommendations assist drivers in avoiding accident-prone areas or adjusting their driving behavior based on road conditions.

powerfleet features clip

  1. Regulatory compliance

Powerfleet also ensures regulatory compliance with transportation safety laws, including hours-of-service (HOS) and electronic logging device (ELD) mandates. Their solutions automate the logging of driving hours and vehicle inspections, helping organizations avoid penalties and maintain fleet certifications. Integrating with federal safety standards ensures fleets operate within legal frameworks while reducing the administrative burden.

  1. Data and Reporting

An often-overlooked aspect of Powerfleet’s framework is its data-driven fleet coaching and customized reporting tools. By translating vast amounts of data into intuitive dashboards and tailored reports, fleet managers gain a holistic view of safety performance. These tools facilitate benchmarking safety metrics, goal-setting, and timely tracking of improvements. Whether addressing individual driver behavior or company-wide trends, the insights support continuous safety enhancements.

Conclusion

Glacier Computer is founded on one goal: What technology can we introduce that solves problems in your business, industry, or environment? From small businesses to international players, we deliver the solutions and support you need to do the job, from rugged tablets and handhelds to fixed-mount systems, laptops, mobile printers, and scanners. Partnering with Powerfleet’s vehicle safety framework adds a multi-layered, technology-driven solution that empowers our customers to build safer, smarter, and more efficient fleets.

Together, we offer the industry’s best rugged computing products and accessories, coupled with time-tested integrated software, safety, and compliance solutions delivered by an experienced technical counselor.

Contact an Expert

FORKLIFT SAFETY

Every business is different, but we all share one thing in common: Ensuring worker safety and complying with the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Safety checklists, procedures, and emergency plans are a necessity and a requirement, and just like the warehouse they keep safe, accuracy and productivity matter. Time saved by ensuring a safe workspace is a resource that can be redirected to more productive pursuits, and for almost 25 years, Glacier Computer has been an expert at helping manufacturing and distribution operations deploy game-changing technology configured to best suit their needs.

Now, with the added solutions from Powerfleet, we are more than ready to help you transition smoothly from paper-based systems to advanced digital platforms, empowering your team to focus more on proactive safety measures and less on paperwork.

 

The problems we solve
• Unplanned downtime and other events that slow operations
• Damage to inventory, equipment, and racking from a lack of accountability
• Accidents threatening your most valuable asset
• Blind, error-prone, compliance, maintenance, and utilization reporting

 

 

The benefits to you are:
• Improve the safety environment
• Optimize utilization of your fleet
• Shrink operating costs
• Avoid legal action
• Increase vehicle longevity
• Protect your brand reputation
• Boost employee morale
• Adhere to compliance standards

 

You can feel confident with regulatory management by intelligently streamlining compliance workflows in adherence to health and safety requirements. Prevent unqualified individuals from driving equipment. Regulate speed and other driver activities in adherence with facility criteria. Limit violations and, in turn, the potential for litigation.

Contact an expert at Glacier for more details.