How To Reduce The Risk Of Forklift Accidents
Health and safety at work will, of course, always be a top priority for employers across all industries and sectors, and in businesses of all shapes and sizes - although what this means in terms of risks and how they’re assessed will naturally differ from company to company.
How To Reduce The Risk Of Forklift Accidents
Health and safety at work will, of course, always be a top priority for employers across all industries and sectors, and in businesses of all shapes and sizes - although what this means in terms of risks and how they’re assessed will naturally differ from company to company.
For those operating in industrial warehouse environments or similar, it’s important to understand the risks associated with the use of forklift trucks, as these can be particularly dangerous pieces of equipment.
National Forklift Safety Day is taking place on June 8th this year, so what better time than the present to review your workplace practices and procedures, to see if there are any improvements that can be made in this regard and make sure that you’re protecting the interests of both your members of staff and members of the general public, as well.
To help, here are some top tips to ensure that you’re focusing your attention in the right areas to reduce the risk of an accident taking place.
Proper training
Regular training for all staff members involved in forklift truck operation is essential, so you know that they have all the requisite skills and experience to work in a safe and efficient manner.
Accidents often take place because operators don’t have the appropriate certification and training to use the trucks correctly. Make sure your training programmes include demonstrations, exercises and a final evaluation. Performance should also be monitored and training updated, especially if new models of trucks are brought in.
Focus on tip-overs
One of the most common accidents involved in the use of forklifts is tip-overs and this can lead to serious injury or even fatalities in the workplace. Reduce the risk by driving at sensible speeds, driving in reverse, using pallets and reducing the transport distance where possible.
Securing loads is also essential, as is finding clear routes to drive along and only driving on terrain that the truck is built for. Inclines should only ever be driven up or down, never across.
Prioritise health and safety across the board
Even if people aren’t going to be directly involved in the operation of forklift trucks, encouraging them to take awareness courses will only ever be beneficial. Pedestrians and other workers can find themselves in harm’s way if they’re not careful, but this can be prevented by ensuring that they too are aware of the dangers posed by forklift trucks.
Last year’s NFSD awareness campaign focused on pedestrians in particular, given RIDDOR stats showing that in the last three years, 43 per cent of incidents involving forklifts were impacts with a third person… highlighting just how important it is to bear these risks in mind.
For help with forklift training in Rugby, get in touch with Ace Handling today.