Elevator Pitch
How AI Is Transforming Forklift Safety: From Blind Spots to Proactive Prevention
As industrial environments grow more complex, AI-powered collision avoidance is reshaping prevention strategies on the shop floor.
- By David Kopf
- Jan 30, 2026
Forklift and worker interactions remain one of the most persistent safety challenges across manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics operations. Despite ongoing investments in training, signage, and equipment improvements, serious incidents continue to occur—often driven by blind spots, congestion, and the increasing pace of modern industrial environments.
In a new video interview, Jackson Phillips, Account Manager at Matrix Design Group, discusses why forklift safety has taken on new urgency and how technology is changing the way organizations approach risk. As facilities become more automated and space-constrained, Phillips explains, traditional safety controls alone are no longer enough to address the realities of today’s shop floors.
The conversation explores the industry’s shift from reactive safety programs toward proactive, AI-driven prevention. Phillips breaks down how AI-powered collision-avoidance systems use video analytics to detect pedestrians and hazards in real time, helping operators respond before an incident occurs rather than after the fact. He also addresses where conventional approaches—such as training and signage—can fall short when visibility is limited or conditions change rapidly.
Beyond the technology itself, the interview highlights the importance of operator-focused design, measurable safety outcomes, and implementation support. Phillips discusses how safety and operations leaders can evaluate return on investment by tracking metrics such as near misses, exposure rates, downtime, and insurance impacts, as well as how emerging standards like ISO 27001 are shaping expectations around data security and system reliability.
To learn more, visit Matrix Design Group, LLC.
About the Author
David Kopf is the publisher and executive editor of Occupational Health & Safety magazine.