Where there are forklifts, there are forklift accidents. A person who is tired or distracted while operating one of these powerful machines can cause extensive property damage and serious personal injury. One of the best ways to prevent workplace accidents is by using the right material handling equipment for the job.
A large, bulky forklift is not always the best option for moving materials in tight areas where people are working. The following are the most common types of forklift accidents.
Forklift vs pedestrian
The pressure to achieve quotas and accomplish as much work as possible in a short amount of time can result in forklift operators driving too fast. Warehouses and production facilities have lots of obstacles and areas that pedestrians may walk from behind into the path of a fast-moving forklift.
Ongoing safety training is a must. Also, part of the routine maintenance of each forklift should include checking their maximum attainable speed. Speed governors can prevent the heavy machines from reaching high and potentially deadly speeds.
Forklift overturns
Approximately 22 percent of the people killed in forklift accidents are crushed by an overturning forklift. Overturns can happen when drivers make sharp turns at high speed. These fatal accidents can also happen easily when operating forklifts on uneven surfaces.
Proper forklift safety must be enforced. It is better to penalize an unsafe driver or revoke their forklift certification than have someone killed by their unsafe forklift operation. Loads should never be raised while the forklift is in motion. Forklifts should be driven straight up or straight down ramps at safe speeds.
At DJ Products, we specialize in providing you with the most efficient material handling equipment available to safely maximize manpower. Contact us today for a free demo.
