Not to be a downer, but the numbers are alarming. According to OSHA, forklift accidents are responsible for 100 deaths a year. Nearly 35,000 workers are seriously injured, and nearly 62,000 minor injuries take place in and around forklifts.
That’s just under 100,000 accidents involving one of the most frequently used pieces of equipment in the workplace.
The most alarming thing- most of these accidents can be prevented, either with training, regular maintenance and a healthy dash of good old fashioned common sense.
It starts with the operator. Never handle a load if you’re not sure the lift is up to the task. A worker in China was killed last year when she tried to pull down a forklift that had tipped under a load it was too small to handle. Your operator should know exactly what his/her lift can manage.
But there are other things you may not think about that can make your forklift’s environment safer.
Be aware of your forklifts emissions. Most lifts emit carbon monoxide, so make sure you’re working in a well-ventilated environment. CO poisoning can sneak up on you. Always be aware of the ventilation.
This seems extremely simple, but make sure your lift is properly parked and secure at the end of your shift. Hundreds of injuries each year happen when a worker simply walks into a parked forklift- and while we’re here- if you are walking through the facility… eyes up… watch where you’re going.
OSHA training can go a long way in preventing accidents, but training is only as effective and your operator’s willingness to put what he/she has learned in to practice. Make sure your operators are following what they have learned and that they are keeping up with new tips and trends.
Finally, driving off a loading dock accounts for 7% of all forklift accidents (that’s 7,000 if you’re keeping track). That’s too many.
The bottom line here is you cannot be too careful. Forklifts are necessary, but potentially dangerous pieces of equipment in an already treacherous environment. Training, common sense, and regular maintenance can not only save your business money, it can literally save lives.
Questions? Call us.