Forklifts seem relatively safe-looking, in part because they move so slowly. But forklift accidents and injuries are much more common than the average person thinks. Even a single misstep can lead to a catastrophic injury or even death.
Why are forklift accidents so common and what steps can we take to prevent them?
The Root Causes of Forklift Accidents
Let’s start by taking a look at the biggest root causes of forklift accidents.
· Lack of training and education. In many cases, accidents occur simply because the operator didn’t have the proper training or education. It could be because an unauthorized, untrained party decided it would be okay to operate a forklift without proper certification. It could also be because a neglectful employer didn’t provide the proper training or education to its operators. Either way, the operator didn’t have the knowledge or skill necessary to operate the forklift safely. Through online forklift certification, anyone can receive the safety training and education necessary to operate forklifts safely, and even learn how to train other forklift operators. It’s a simple step that can prevent countless accidents.
· Blind spots. People underestimate blind spots when operating a forklift. Looking around, you should have ample visibility, but there are some spots you simply won’t be able to see during normal operation. It’s important to account for these blind spots and exercise caution around them to avoid accidents.
· Excessive loading. Forklifts are surprisingly powerful machines that can lift thousands of pounds in some cases. Even so, it’s possible to overload them. If you try to operate a forklift with a load that’s too heavy for it, it could end up tipping or suffering damage, eventually leading to an accident.
· Miscommunication. Sometimes, forklift accidents are a result of miscommunication. If a supervisor provides inappropriate instructions to a trainee, or if peers exchange inaccurate information with each other, it could lead to a misunderstanding that eventually results in a collision – or injury.
· Speeding. Forklifts aren’t very fast, but there is a good reason for this. These are heavy machines that need to be operated with caution. Despite the relatively low speed cap on these machines, people still sometimes push the limits, hoping to get their job done faster or simply show off how fast these machines can be. Just as with cars, higher speeds lead to more dangerous circumstances and greatly increase the risk of an accident.
· Stress, exhaustion, and burnout. Stress and burnout can affect anyone – and they can be catastrophic in terms of impact. If an employee is overworked, exhausted, or otherwise burnt out, they may fail to observe their environment properly or fail to exercise caution in a suitable way, ultimately leading to an accident.
· Goofing off. We also need to acknowledge that some forklift accidents occur because of showing off or goofing off. When people don’t take safety seriously, they may try to do tricks or stunts with a forklift; this is highly inadvisable, even in the hands of someone very skilled.
· Improper maintenance. Finally, improper maintenance and poor repairs can render a forklift unsafe to operate. A single mechanical failure can spell disaster.
Why We Underestimate Forklifts
In 2022, forklifts caused 73 deaths and nearly 25,000 injuries. So why do we continue to underestimate the capacity for forklifts to cause injury and death?
· Apparent size. Part of it has to do with the apparent size of a forklift. They appear somewhat small and easy to operate because we compare them to cars and trucks. But these machines are very heavy and very dangerous, despite their outward appearance.
· Speed. We also underestimate forklift accidents because forklifts usually travel quite slowly. It’s true that this gives pedestrians more time to get out of the way, but stopping a forklift is incredibly difficult because of the massive weight.
· Ease of operation. Some people underestimate forklifts because the average person can learn how to operate one in a matter of days. These aren’t complicated machines to operate, but that doesn’t mean we can afford to trivialize their safe operation.
How to Prevent Forklift Accidents
Preventing forklift accidents is simple.
· Provide proper training and education. Make sure all your forklift operators are properly trained, educated, and certified. You also need to make sure they’re committed to continuing to operate the forklift safely.
· Cultivate a culture of safety. Everyone in your organization, including forklift operators, needs to treat safety as the highest priority. Otherwise, rules will be dismissed and ignored.
· Supervise, control, and review. Strong leaders can supervise, control environments, and review accidents to ensure proper safety protocols are being followed.
Thankfully, the majority of forklift accidents can be prevented, as long as leaders and supervisors take forklift safety seriously. With a combination of better training, superior safety culture, and adequate supervision, any workplace can become significantly safer.
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