It is important for Nebraska workers to understand how dangerous forklifts can be. Every year, there are multiple fatalities from forklift accidents. Today we will take a look at some of the most common types of forklift accidents. This can allow workers to better identify and avoid them.
Toyota Material Handling examines some of the most common forklift accidents. The first are rollovers and tipovers. These incidents involve the forklift rolling over completely or tipping onto its side. Common causes involve:
- Driving too fast
- Taking improper turns
- Driving with an elevated load
- Overcrowded work areas
These incidents are the leading cause of forklift-related fatalities in the field. They not only harm the driver in the vehicle, but can injure bystanders as well.
Next are pallet accidents. These are incidents that involve the pallets that forklifts move around. Drivers can damage products and racking if they are not careful when moving and lifting. A bigger risk is knocking pallets over. They can tip onto other workers and cause serious physical damage.
Finally, there are incidents in which forklift operators hit or run over pedestrians. Up to 20 percent of forklift accidents involve pedestrians. Up to 36 percent of forklift-related fatalities are pedestrians. In many instances, proper safety procedures could cut down on these crashes. This includes floor tape, clear signage and proper safety training for all personnel.
Strict safety policies help reduce forklift accidents. Proper training can also go a long way to help. Above all else, alerting workers to potential sources of safety risks allows them to keep an eye out.