Working with a forklift, whether on a construction site or within a distribution company, can be very dangerous for the operator and the people on the site. It is a legal requirement that the forklift operator must receive proper training before operating the machine. Within this training, you cover the essential check system of the forklift before it is used on a daily and weekly basis.
Common Forklift Accidents That Can Happen
Knowing the potential accidents that can occur with a forklift helps to be aware of some dangers to avoid. In the UK alone there are over 8000 forklift accidents each year, here is a look at the four most common accidents that occur.
1. People hit by a forklift while it is moving, this is especially typical when the vehicle is in reverse.
2. Forklifts used on unsafe floors and platforms causing the forklift to fall
3. People struck by falling unstable items carried by the forklift
4. It is common for people to overload the forklift and tip it over.
All of these accidents could have been prevented if the proper rules and regulations had been followed. For example, a forklift rollover would not occur if the forklift was not overloaded. It is important to check the weight of any load before transporting it, especially if it appears to be heavy and bulky.
Again, to the point of people getting hit and run over by a forklift, this can be avoided if the operator drives with due care and attention. Reversing with a forklift is more dangerous than going forward because there are more blind spots and therefore full vision is not always available. It is important that people on the site are aware when a forklift is moving so that they can take the necessary precautions just like the forklift operator.
Health and safety executives have shown that placing safety signs around the workplace and site reduces the risk of injury, especially when it involves forklifts. Operations using forklifts include distribution companies, warehouses, construction sites and others where the chances of accidents and incidents are much more frequent than in ordinary situations.
Health and safety managers and assessors of such working conditions are encouraged to post safety posters on site to provide workers and forklift operators with the details and reminders they need. According to FLT statistics, a worker in the UK dies every six weeks as a result of forklift accidents. Here’s a look at some of the health and safety posters available today that can save lives in the workplace.
Forklift Pedestrians and Operators Poster – This poster is bright and bold and the message is not to be missed. It says in big letters TAKE CARE of each other with an illustration of a forklift and a person. This sign is to warn operators and people on site to beware of forklifts and moving vehicles on the premises.
Forklift Pre-Operation Checks: By law, a check must be performed on a forklift and forklift parts every day before it can be used to assess whether it is safe enough to operate. These checks include checking for faulty forklift parts, any damage to the truck, brake fluid level, engine oil level, etc. This poster outlines these controls to encourage and remind operators that these controls are crucial any time a forklift is used.
Cargo Forklifts – One of the main causes of forklift accidents is the truck overloading and the cargo falling, leading to an accident. This poster describes this potential hazard with the catchy phrase KEEP IT LOW KEEP IT SLOW with a cartoon illustration of a forklift being madly overloaded and tipping over. Adhering to load weight guidelines could save a life when operating a forklift.