As such, it’s important that business leaders, occupational health and safety managers, and staff working with forklifts understand how to prevent forklift accidents and how to improve forklift safety. Forklift accidents can occur for a number of reasons: your staff might be using forklifts inappropriately, not running the appropriate safety checks, or using the wrong type of forklift altogether. In this blog, we’ll take you through all the major reasons forklift accidents occur, before getting into some strategies for forklift accident prevention. Following that, we’ll explore some of the best forklifts available to you in Australia, and where you can go to find them at Waverley Forklifts. These forklifts offer premium safety and versatility for a variety of workplace environments, setting you on the path to safety and success from day one!
FORKLIFT ACCIDENTS AND DAMAGE – THE MAIN CAUSES
Forklift accidents can result in serious injury and, in worst-case-scenarios, fatalities. Understanding why they happen is the first step in prevention. Some of the primary culprits for forklift accidents include a lack of training and safety checks, overloading, and using the wrong type of forklift. Other contributing factors include dangerous driving, cluttered warehouse aisles, obstructions in loading docks, faulty pallets, and chaotic workplace environments. Each of these risks pose a substantial threat to staff, pedestrians, and property.
LACK OF FORKLIFT TRAINING
People who lack the appropriate training for operating a forklift are most likely to cause accidents and damage. Not only are these individuals more likely to collide with people, building structures, and stock, they are also more likely to engage in other unsafe practices, like not running safety checks, overloading, or using the wrong type of forklift for a job.
NO EQUIPMENT SAFETY CHECKS
It’s important to routinely run safety checks on your forklifts as well as any accessories that may be attached to it. Without these inspections, damaged parts can go unnoticed, causing unnecessary risks.
OVERLOADING OR OVERWEIGHT LIMITS
Different forklifts are designed to take different loads. When forklift drivers try to lift a load which is too heavy for their machine, it’s possible that the forklift can give way or lose grip on the object being carried, posing a serious hazard to staff, stock, and infrastructure.
H3: WRONG TYPE OF FORKLIFT
Different types of forklifts are designed for different tasks. Some forklifts are designed for flat indoor spaces, or for carrying small objects, while others are designed for all terrains, or for carrying heavier loads. Using the wrong type of forklift for a certain environment or task can lead to unforeseen problems.
SPEEDING OR DANGEROUS MANOEUVRING
Speeding in a forklift poses just as many risks as speeding on the road, for the same reasons. With less time to brake, change direction, or respond to unexpected hazards, forklift drivers who speed risk causing serious accidents and injuries. Carrying insecure loads, driving with an obstructed view, and giving rides to other staff or pedestrians, also increases the likelihood of accidents.
FORKLIFT DAMAGE AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION
Forklift accidents are entirely preventable, and there are several steps you can take to enact workplace forklift safety. By effectively training your staff, implementing proper markings in your warehouse, and enforcing speed limits, load limits, and safety gear, your workplace will be as safe as it can be. This forklift safety checklist will help to reduce risks and help you to remain aware of the possible damages and accidents which might otherwise occur.
EFFECTIVE TRAINING OF ALL STAFF
Providing staff with up-to-date forklift training and certificates for each distinct type of forklift is the most effective way to prevent potential accidents. With a team well-versed in forklift safety, not only will your drivers be more careful on the job, your other staff members will also feel more comfortable calling out dangerous conduct if and when it happens.
SPEED AND LOAD LIMITS ENFORCED
There’s no two ways about it: speeding and unsafe loads are a sure-fire way of getting into a workplace accident. By enforcing speed and load limits, you’ll create a safer workplace for all members of your team.
PROPER MARKINGS IN WAREHOUSE
Clarifying or redoing the markings on your warehouse floor helps to show where a forklift will be most operational. This benefits both the forklift operators and the pedestrians walking nearby. It also pays to provide appropriate signage and warnings to staff and clientele, especially in areas where your forklifts are frequently used.
CORRECT SAFETY GEAR AT ALL TIMES
When your staff wear the correct safety and PPE gear, they’ll be less likely to endure physical harm if an accident takes place. Getting your staff into the mindset of always dressing themselves appropriately will set a safe, diligent workplace culture.
IMPROVE FORKLIFT SAFETY! FORKLIFT MISUSE
Accidents are far more likely to occur when individuals have not undertaken the adequate training for forklift use, or when they have not performed the necessary safety checks. Some of the most common causes of accidents with a forklift include overloading, giving rides, and speeding. Luckily, these accidents can be prevented.
HAVE THE RIGHT FORKLIFT FOR THE JOB!
By adequately training your staff and investing in the right forklift for the job, you’ll be able to create a safer, more productive environment for your staff. Explore our range of forklifts online, and find the perfect machine for any forklift job. Browse through LPG & diesel forklifts, battery electric forklifts, and all-terrain forklifts, as well as our collection of add-on forklift appliances. Each of our state-of-the-art products are among the best in the nation, and have been rigorously tried-and-tested by forklift operators in a wide variety of industries.
BROWSE OUR RANGE OF FORKLIFTS, WITH SAFETY IN MIND!
Take a look at the range of products available to you at Waverley Forklifts, including LPG & diesel forklifts, battery electric forklifts, all-terrain forklifts, and a host of forklift attachments, like slippers and safety cages. With some of the highest-quality forklifts in Melbourne, at some of the most competitive prices, you’ll be able to maintain forklift safety at work without affecting your bottom line. Check out our catalogue, or get in touch with one of our friendly staff members to see how we can help your business today!
