Forklift accident highlights need for proper training
The failure to separate pedestrians from vehicles in the workplace can lead to both accidents and subsequent fines from the enforcing authorities.
A case in point was reported recently where a company in the North of England failed to act on a risk assessment that identified a failure to separate vehicles and pedestrians at its factory. (more…)
Forklift training – national campaign
A compliance campaign at targeted sites, with workplace audits, begins this month in South Australia as part of a national campaign to assess and improve forklift safety in the grocery wholesale and fruit and vegetable wholesale industries.
The national campaign aims to reduce the rate of incidents and injury from forklift-related tasks such as loading and unloading vehicles. (more…)
Forklift Operator Training – Playing by the Rules
Since companies and all owners were required to properly equip all workers with training and knowledge in forklifts, courses have begun sprouting everywhere in all kinds of manner. Forklift operator training is vital to ensure that all operations remain safe and efficient for everyone. Having skilled workers at hand will also boost productivity in the long term. (more…)
OSHA forklift certification – What’s involved, What You Need To Know
There are many different jobs that require a person to know how to use a forklift. Usually, if you work in construction or in most warehouses, then you have to know how to run some basic machinery. Not only do you have to know how to run a forklift but you also have to have OSHA forklift certification. Running a forklift isn’t necessarily hard if you know the basics. When you are operating any type of major machinery, that could be dangerous, it is always good to be certified by a company that specializes in safety.
If you need to get an OSHA forklift certification and you have access to the Internet, you are in luck. You can get certified to run a forklift and even print out your operator card and get your certificate immediately, from the comfort of your own home.
Running a forklift can be simple but you want to make sure that you have the proper training. There are all kinds of accidents that are associated with people and machinery. Forklifts are a tool but they can be dangerous if they are misused. Getting OSHA certified forklift training is the smart way to go and it is required, if you plan to run a forklift at work. It is awesome that you can do most of your training online. Once you have a trainer evaluate you, then you are on your way to running a forklift successfully on your own.
Driving home the importance of forklift training
Overturning or rollovers are the leading cause of fatal injuries in forklift safety related accidents; and in almost all of the cases, the driver is struck or crushed by the roof guard of the safety cage. Accident investigations conducted by the National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) find that the single consistent identifiable characteristic in these accidents was that the driver was not wearing seat belts.
In comparison to an automobile, not using a seat belt in a forklift exposes the driver to a larger danger of injuries although forklifts move at speeds usually far lower than cars. The following is an explanation why this is so.
Forklifts that are largely used indoors, such as in warehouses, may very well look like large mechanical toys, but they are far from being so. In reality, even the smallest riding forklift is heavier than a small car or truck. Their center of gravity is also located higher. Moreover, forklifts steer by rotating their rear axle, which is usually mounted on a pin. While this mechanism allows forklifts to turn on the proverbial dime, it also reduces the effective equilibrium making it easy for a forklift to overturn. In other words, it is easy for a forklift to rollover.
During a rollover, the driver’s natural and instinctive reaction is to jump away from the falling forklift. But as we have seen, forklifts are machines with a high center of gravity and low stability. They are also heavy. Once a fork lift becomes unstable, it tends to come down extremely fast because of its heavy weight, small base of stability and high center of gravity. The bars of the safe cage also get in the way. Therefore, it is almost impossible for an operator to jump clear. They get caught by the guards of the safety cage and suffer severe injuries, which are often fatal.
The attempt to jump is the single largest cause of fatal injuries. Accidents by their nature are unpredictable. Forklift drivers should, therefore, without exception, wear their seat belts at all times.
Courtesy: Ur Health Safety
Forklift training doesn’t just benefit the worker who operates the forklift but, benefits all those working in the vicinity where these machines are being operated and benefits your business as well.
Forklift Championships Heats Up
The National Forklift Championships (NFC) heats will be starting next month. (more…)
