Carelessness around forklifts can have dire results

Forklifts are an everyday piece of equipment at many work sites, which sometimes can lead to workers taking them for granted and getting sloppy with basic safety precautions. The results of that carelessness can, however, be life-altering.

David Hoover, a leading expert on forklift safety and an FDRsafety senior advisor, wrote an article recently describing what can happen when, for example, the operator of a standup forklift lets his foot stray from a safe position.

“The man injured his right foot, possibly breaking several of its bones, after pinching it between a wall and the back of a standup forklift he was operating. The accident happened at the business which the injured man owned.”

David also offered some observations that bear repeating:

• Forklift accidents happen to young, middle aged and older workers.  No matter what your age, don’t think you can’t be touched by a forklift accident.
• Even highly experienced operators, including company owners, are not immune from getting hurt in forklift accidents; especially if they have a bad habit such as sticking their foot outside of a stand up forklift or not wearing their seat belt.
• Forklifts have the power to change the lives of people and their families forever.  Deaths obviously affect families for generations; injuries can have life-altering consequences.  We have seen many people lose the ability to walk, hunt, play sports, play with their kids, etc. as the result of a forklift accident.