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Forklift care urged after dangers highlighted in Queensland courts

Employers are urged to ensure they have safe work practices in place for forklift use, including appropriate training for workers, following a series of court cases highlighting dangerous incidents.

Recent prosecutions by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland highlight the importance of training and risk management in preventing injuries and fatalities.

Over the last few months there has been a spate of prosecutions, with fines of up to $40,000 involved. Another dozen or so incidents, including a recent fatality, are also the subject of investigations by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.

One of the prosecutions resulted from a fatality at a Geebung plumbing products business and another two incidents involved workers suffering serious crush injuries at incidents at Archerfield and near Ipswich.

Even if forklifts are fitted with the appropriate safety devices, traffic management and risk assessment plans still need to be prepared and implemented.

Each year there are more than 1600 workers compensation claims involving forklifts. The largest number of claims comes from the transport industry but forklifts are used in hundreds of industries across the state, from manufacturing to agriculture.

Some tips to ensure forklift safety include:

• Before starting each shift, conduct a thorough inspection of the forklift truck and attachments such as lift and tilt systems, steering, brakes, controls, tyres, warning devices, load arms, brake fluid, hydraulic oil.
• Establish safety procedures for fuel handling and storage, and battery changing and charging.
• Establish a method for determining the weights of loads being handled and make work areas safe for the use of forklift trucks. Fit raised edges on loading docks, install warning signs or barricades, impose speed limits, provide adequate lighting and, if necessary fit secure ramps to access work areas.
• Assess and manage the risk – use appropriate forklift/attachments for the job.
• Be familiar with the licensing requirements for people operating forklifts, for both experienced operators and those learning to drive forklifts.
• Provide appropriate supervision.
• Carry out maintenance suitable for the forklift and its use.
• Ensure traffic management plans are adhered to: separate forklifts and people.

There is more information on using forklifts in a range of situations, as well as purchasing and maintenance tips at www.worksafe.qld.gov.au or call the Workplace Health and Safety Queensland Infoline on 1300 369 915.