Many workplaces make use of things like forklifts to easily move thing around. However, forklift accidents can be pretty dangerous if proper steps aren’t taken. Therefore, it’s important to know why these accidents occur, and how to best avoid them…
Forklift Accidents: Common Causes
Improper training
One common cause of forklift accidents is improper training. Many people assume the forklifts are easy to operate. As a result, they’ll try and use them, even if they haven’t been trained for them. What they quickly find out is how complicated they can be to drive, and usually will end up in an accident.
That’s why it’s important to give special training to those that will drive forklifts. This will help them get familiar with how they work, and what they need to be cautious of. Furthermore, no one who hasn’t received this training should ever use a forklift. It’s much safer to wait until someone who has the training can.
Unbalanced load
An uneven load is also another common cause behind forklift accidents. It’s easy to think that forklifts can manage whatever they have to carry. Still, keep in mind how this works. You’ll be placing a whole lot more weight out in front of the vehicle, which if not done correctly, could cause it to tip over and send the objects falling.
Plus, many times forklifts will need to carry multiple objects stacked on top of one another. This makes keeping a proper balance especially important. Keep an eye on how you stack loads you’re moving, and how much weight the forklift can take. Doing so will help it remain level and prevent it from tipping over.
Cluttered pathways
Having cluttered pathways is an easy way for forklift accidents to occur. It’s hard for a forklift driver to see in front of them when they’re moving cargo. This means they’ll have trouble spotting any objects in the way, or even other people moving in front of them. These situations can result in some pretty rough accidents.
To avoid this, it’s important to keep these pathways clear at all times. Many places will set up designated paths for their forklifts, so other workers know what areas they should avoid. If pathways need to be shared, then it helps to give the forklift something such as a flashing light, which will alert others to move out of the way.