FORKLIFT INSTABILITY: THE RISKS

MANAGING THE RISKS, IF YOU ARE AN OPERATOR
While every step must be taken to minimise the chance of a forklift incident, it is wise to be aware of what to do should you be involved in one. When a forklift is travelling around a corner or down a slope, when it accelerates or brakes, forces are developed that can result in it rolling sideways, tipping forwards or backwards. When a forklift overturns, the safest place for the operator is in the cabin with a seat-belt on. Body restraints should be fitted and worn. The operator is advised to  hold on, stay with the truck and lean in the opposite direction of the overturn. Almost every time an operator jumps from their forklift while it is overturning they are killed. While seat-belts can be a nuisance, they can also be a life saver.
In a reach truck or stand-up type forklift with rear access, seat-belts should be worn if fitted.

MANAGING THE RISKS, IF YOU ARE AN EMPLOYER
Employers have a primary duty to provide a safe workplace. Providing a safe work environment, training, well maintained machinery and effective traffic management plans all play an important part in reducing the risks posed by forklifts in the workplace.
All employees, including managers and supervisors, have a duty to ensure the actions they take, or neglect to take, do not put themselves or others at risk. When it can be proven that an employer’s negligence has contributed to a third party’s injury, such as a customer or delivery truck driver, the Victorian Work Cover
Authority (VWA) can, and does, seek recovery of costs against the employer under the Accident Compensation Act 1985. These costs could potentially run to millions of dollars and have a devastating effect on any business.

MANAGING THE RISKS, IF YOU ARE A MANUFACTURER
OR A SUPPLIER
There is a recognized need for manufacturers and suppliers to provide more information on a forklift’s capabilities and limitations. Often users are not aware of a truck’s limitations. This can lead to a forklift
being used close to its limits of stability. In the design process, manufacturers can take steps to eliminate risks posed by forklifts in the workplace by introducing, and promoting, intelligent systems (Smart
Forklifts) such as:
• mechanisms that prevent forklifts from starting when the driver is not
restrained by a seat-belt or another device;
• limiting travel speeds to as low as 8 km/h (9 km/h for dual tyred forklifts),
except where manufacturers can provide stability figures to show otherwise.
This would assist in reducing the occurrence of side tip overs. (Uneven operating
surfaces could require a lower speed limit);
• speed limiters to reduce the maximum speed of a forklift depending on the
load, the height of the load and turning radius;
• systems to monitor and limit the number of wheel rotations while the forks
are elevated to prevent forklifts being driven with raised forks; and
• load weighing devices supplied as standard equipment on forklifts.-