Avoiding Forklift Pedestrian Mishaps and Other Common Accidents
By Paul Julian Forklifts are dangerous machines, and used in the wrong ways can be lethal to their operators and others who are in their paths. Every year in the United States 100 people are killed as a result of a fork truck accident, and over 20,000 people are injured. This doesn’t count the millions of dollars in payments that companies are forced to pay to injured employees. Lift trucks are powerful and heavy, and they often operate in very close quarters. Although there are some safety features built into the newer models of trucks, operators are trained, and safety rules are instituted, forklift accidents still take a large toll. What can be done to avoid these costly errors?
About 22% of all lift truck accidents each year are caused by the lifts tipping over. Although they are built with heavy, stable bases, they are still prone to being overturned if they aren’t handled properly. Operators need to make a habit of driving with their forks down, even when loaded. Never travel with a load raised any higher than is absolutely necessary as this can make the truck unstable. Stability is especially important when driving on ramps and inclines. Operators are instructed to drive up ramps and to back down them in order to keep their loads stable.
Another 20% of the incidents that occur related to fork trucks each year are cases of pedestrians being struck by the lift or its load. Some of the reasons for these accidents include excessive speed, turning corners too quickly without knowing who is on the other side, lack of physical barriers surrounding pedestrian areas, such as enclosing lunchrooms and exits, and driving in high traffic areas. Operators are cautioned to drive with care in areas where pedestrians may be walking, but with large numbers of employees and forklifts, mishaps occur anyway.
OSHA established that there are five major company infractions that are responsible for a majority of the forklift accidents that occur each year. These causes are:
Failure to thoroughly educate and test each operator to make sure they know how to handle this powerful equipment safely.
Failure to develop a certified training program for each employee that’s going to be allowed to drive a truck and to make sure they complete it successfully.
Failure to provide refresher classes for all operators on a yearly basis.
Failure to remove defective lifts from use.
Failure to check out all fork trucks before putting them into service.
It takes both the employer and the employees working together to decrease the number of forklift accidents, and it’s to everyone’s benefit to do so. Employers need to follow up on the guidelines in the paragraph above in order to maintain safe trucks and drivers. Drivers need to watch what they’re doing and follow safety rules, and other employees need to watch out in areas where they know lift trucks could be operating. This cohesive effort will pay off for everyone involved.
To learn more important information about forklift training please visit LiftTrucksAndForklifts.com.
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