Forklifts are heavy machinery, and they pose a significant risk in the workplace. This can easily go overlooked in a job where forklifts are used constantly — like stocking in a major warehouse. However, it’s important for workers to understand the dangers. Growing complacent can lead to accidents and injuries.
Below are seven of the most common reasons for these accidents:
- The driver is speeding. This could happen when he or she is in a rush to finish a job.
- The driver doesn’t have proper training. Perhaps the employer never provided it, not wanting to spend time and money on training that could go toward production.
- Dangerous turns. A forklift tends to be fairly unstable when taking a corner at a high speed.
- Driving while the load is elevated. Most regulations say loads should only be a few inches from the ground.
- Riding on the forklift improperly. Workers may do this for fun or as an easy mode of transportation, even though it’s very dangerous.
- Work zones don’t have the right markings and warning signs. Other workers may not realize the danger or may not see that the forklift is operating in the area until it’s too late.
- The workplace isn’t well designed for working with a forklift. For instance, perhaps the aisles are not wide enough or the forklift itself is too large or small for the job at hand.
No matter how it happens, numerous people could be in danger if they’re working anywhere around the machine at the time. Were you injured in a forklift accident due to someone else’s negligence? If so, you must know all of the legal options you have in New York.
Source: National Forklift Exchange, “7 Most Common Causes of Lift Truck Accidents,” Tom Reddon, accessed Feb. 23, 2018
