Forklift safety 1: how to prevent accidents

When we talk about forklift safety, we are actually touching on different aspects, but for each of them the goal is unique: to prevent accidents for both operators and pedestrians working nearby.

To understand the importance of the topic, consider the following data:

According to the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), forklift accidents account for 15% of all construction equipment-related workplace fatalities. Forklifts are one of the most common causes of workplace accidents, with more than 100 fatalities occurring in the United States each year.

There are 3 main causes of forklift accidents:

• forklift overturning,
• Accidents caused by poor maintenance of the same,
• Pedestrian collision.

When the causes are known, it is easier to prevent such accidents.

How to prevent a forklift from tipping over

This type of accident usually occurs for various reasons, such as a load that is too heavy, exceeding the vehicle's carrying capacity, an unbalanced load, the forklift moving with the forks raised, excessive speed, and sudden braking.

To avoid this type of accident, it is important to know your vehicle and the weight of the goods being transported, in addition, it is essential that you are properly trained in the use of this vehicle.

How to perform proper maintenance

To ensure greater safety when using forklifts, it is necessary to carry out proper maintenance. A forklift with dead batteries, blunt forks or worn tires is the equivalent of a ticking time bomb. For this reason, the operator or relevant personnel should carry out safety checks at the beginning of each work shift to avoid unpleasant inconveniences.

It is therefore important to check, for example, tire pressure, battery charge, and brake pad condition... Furthermore, if the operator who drives it daily notices something wrong, they should report it promptly.

How to prevent pedestrian accidents

Some statistics show that among forklift accidents, 2 out of 3 involve pedestrians. Pedestrians and forklift operators need to pay maximum attention, but the company also needs to do its part, for example by creating separate routes within the company and implementing speed limits.

It is therefore necessary:

• Don't take any chances, so never ride as a passenger on a forklift and never let yourself be lifted onto a pallet or forks.
• Approach with caution and wear high-visibility clothing.
• Use paths specifically designed for pedestrians and forklifts.

Greater safety for forklifts with us

To ensure maximum pedestrian safety, we have created truly innovative solutions capable of guaranteeing maximum safety in society.

LED light projectors that can be used in a wide variety of industrial areas, such as the Safety Bar 20, a lamp specifically designed for forklift safety that, when placed on the vehicle, emits a beam of blue or red light over a distance of several meters. It allows workers to be alerted to the arrival of a vehicle and to mark maneuvering areas.

But that's not the only solution!

We also provide floodlights designed to clearly delineate paths within a company, and solutions that can be activated and deactivated when vehicles, such as forklifts, pass by.

An example of this is the one in the video, in which a "stop" signal projector is activated when a vehicle passes by.

Illuminated signage solutions for corporate security are truly numerous and can be customized to your needs.

Discover the full range of products here and contact us for advice or a quote!