19 April 2024 | News

Common Forklift Accidents: Guide to Prevention and Workplace Safety

Industrial protections

incidenti con carrello elevatore
In the context of industrial work, accidents involving forklifts pose a significant challenge to workplace safety. From lifting heavy loads to navigating in confined spaces, forklifts present various risks to operators and the surrounding environment.

Forklift accidents are a key concern for industrial companies worldwide. As these vehicles are widely used to move materials and goods within warehouses and production sites, it is essential to understand and mitigate the risks associated with their use.

Common Forklift Accidents

  • Pedestrian Collisions: One of the most serious incidents involves collisions with pedestrians in the workplace. Lack of visibility and the speed of forklifts can lead to fatal accidents.
  • Falling Objects: During load handling, objects can fall from forklifts, causing injuries to workers or damage to materials.
  • Tip-overs: Especially on uneven terrain or with improperly positioned loads, forklifts can tip over, risking the operator’s life and damaging equipment.
  • Loading and Unloading Incidents: Improper loading and unloading procedures can cause damage to goods and accidents to operators.

Prevention Measures:

  • Training and Education: Ensure that operators are adequately trained in the safe use of forklifts.
  • Regular Maintenance: Conduct regular checks and preventive maintenance to ensure forklifts are in optimal condition.
  • Use of Safety Devices: Install devices such as obstacle detection sensors and audible alarms to enhance workplace safety.
  • Safe Loading and Unloading Procedures: Implement standardized procedures for loading and unloading goods, with particular attention to weight distribution and load stability.
  • Clear Signage: Ensure that areas where forklifts operate are well-marked and that safety instructions for pedestrians are clear.
  • Flexible Protections: A Crucial Element in Forklift Accident Prevention
incidenti con carrello elevatore

Flexible Protections: A Crucial Element in Forklift Accident Prevention

A crucial aspect often overlooked in forklift accident prevention is the importance of flexible protections. These devices, such as flexible safety barriers and bumpers, play a fundamental role in reducing the risk of injuries and damage caused by collisions.

Flexible protections offer an important solution to mitigate the effects of potential collisions between forklifts and people or objects in the workplace.

 

Compared to rigid barriers, flexible protections absorb and dissipate the impact energy, thus reducing the risk of serious injuries.


Integrating flexible protections into safety plans and standard operating procedures can significantly improve workplace safety and prevent costly and potentially fatal accidents.

 

Therefore, investing in these solutions represents an important step in ensuring a safe and protected working environment for all operators and workers involved in forklift operations.

Would you like to know more?

Do you have a new construction project or do you need to secure a work area? Would you like to join our network of dealers? Contact the MPM staff.