First ever female and youngest contestant yet reach Grand Final on Day 2 of RTITB International Forklift Operator of the Year

Tensions were high at IMHX yesterday (14th September) as more forklift operators from around the world battled it out on day 2 of the RTITB International Forklift Operator of the Year competition. For the first time a female operator qualified for the Grand Final, along with the youngest ever competitor to reach the final stage of the competition.

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On the second day of the competition, which is sponsored by UniCarriers and McCue, ten more drivers tested their operator skills, knowledge of safety and overall professionalism in order to win one of ten places at the International Forklift Operator of the Year Grand Final.

The day concluded with Samantha Tyson of PPG, announced as the overall winner of the heat, becoming the first ever female operator to reach the Grand Finals of the competition. In second place was 18-year old Thomas Birkbeck of KP Snacks, who is the youngest competitor to ever qualify for a place at the next stage of the competition, which RTITB will be running in early 2017.

To earn their place in the Grand Final, each competitor completed four tests – two practical assessments (Fun Factory and Explosive Mixer sponsored by Pyroban, DOLAV and Racking & Storage Solutions), a knowledge assessment (sponsored by Transaid), and successful completion of a pre-use inspection (sponsored by TruckLOG).

RTITB continue to use pre-use inspections in each Forklift Operator of the Year competition to raise awareness of this crucial aspect of daily operation. 18% of incidents are caused by mechanical failure, which could be reduced by operators ensuring proper pre-use inspections are completed each time a machine is used.

The RTITB Forklift Operator of the Year competition began in 2008 and has evolved to become bigger and better than ever for 2016. This year marks the first International competition, which included operators from three continents, an increased number of female competitors and the winner of the first India Forklift Operator of the Year competition, which took place in 2015.

The competition will continue throughout IMHX 2016, ending on Friday 16th September.

Visit stand 9A40 to watch the heats in action.

For further information on the competition, visit www.opofyear.com.

Follow on Twitter @opofyear or visit Facebook “RTITB Operator of the Year Competition”.

Heat two’s finalist line up was:

• Richard Humpage, trained and employed by TJX Europe

• Bobby Wilson, trained and employed by Wincanton

• Samantha Tyson, trained and employed by PPG

• Peter Wells, trained and employed by Nutricia

• Ryan Reynolds, trained and employed by TJX Europe

• Thomas Birkbeck, trained and employed by KP Snacks

• Craig Dawson, trained and employed by KP Snacks

• Graham Fitter, trained and employed by TNT Kingsbury

• Dale Ryder, trained and employed by TNT Kingsbury

• Daniel Smith, trained and employed by Sigma