Top 10 reasons behind forklift accidents

Accidents in the workplace are something which every employer wants to avoid.

Posing a great risk to safety in any warehouse or industrial setting is the use of forklifts – and while they remain an essential tool when operated correctly, there are many ways in which they can be involved in accidents.

To highlight the reasons behind forklift accidents, the team at Euro 1 Training has put together the top 10 factors which can lead to an incident.

10 Reasons that cause forklift accidents

1. Speeding

By far the most common reason for accidents, whether the driver is rushing due to time constraints or wilfully ignoring the rules, speed can kill in a work environment. At the very least there could be damage done to property when the driver inevitably loses control.

2. Poor maintenance

Taking care of the forklifts in any workplace is key. Components may need replacing which, without, can result in an accident. Brake lights are a prime example, if these aren’t working there could be a collision of vehicles when someone stops sharply.

3. Poor communication

Human error is a huge factor behind most accidents and communication between workers is key. If your team aren’t communicating then they won’t know where the dangers lie.

4. Obstructions

Having the path of a forklift obstructed by boxes or pallets which have been lazily discarded means that there are extra hazards for a driver. The work place needs to be kept clear for this reason wherever a forklift is in operation.

5. Improper loading

The load put onto a forklift needs to be stable and secure – the failure to ensure this often results in accidents as the forklift can tip over or the load can be dropped.

6. Horseplay

Some members of staff will be more trustworthy than others but horseplay from anyone should not be tolerated. Allowing people to ride on the forks or attempting stunts can be extremely dangerous.

7. Warehouse layout

While most warehouses need a forklift, some don’t make the changes to the layout of their premises to accommodate them. Narrow aisles and a lack of designated pedestrian areas will always result in accidents.

8. Improper Braking

People who don’t brake properly risk causing accidents through negligent driving. A driver should know how much distance they require to stop and should never brake sharply; it should always be smooth to avoid throwing the load.

9. Bad pallets

Unrelated to the driving or the people in the vicinity, bad pallets can easily cause accidents. Wooden pallets can break down over time and need to be inspected before being used. If a pallet crumbles on the forks it’s likely that someone will get hurt.

10. Lack of training

A huge factor in most accidents is the training received by forklift operators. To safely use a forklift, a driver needs to have specific training, while refresher courses should be taken to keep the key aspects of safety at the forefront of everyone’s minds.

Here at Euro 1 Training, we provide a range of forklift training courses, which include the safety aspects of driving such a vehicle.

To learn more about any of our courses then simply contact us today and our professional team will be able to assist you.