Safety Week
Two deaths too many
Shocked by two fork lift fatalities in just ten days, the Fork Lift Truck Association has strongly urged those working with and alongside fork lift trucks to remember that fork lift safety is for life – not just National Fork Lift Safety Week.
The death of Czech contractor Ondrej Hladik, 46, at the £150million Glendoe hydro-electric scheme near Fort Augustus on the first day of the UK’s first fork lift safety event threatened to cast a shadow over the event.
While no other fatalities occurred during the week itself, just three days later in Doncaster, a fork lift claimed the life of 65-year-old Fred Roberts. On Wednesday October 1st, Mr. Roberts suffered fatal injuries after, it is understood, a quantity of pallets fell upon him from a fork lift in his workplace.
“Hearing of these tragedies in such a short space of time came as a shock,” admits FLTA Chief Executive David Ellison. “But these are by no means isolated incidents. Although Britain’s 350,000 fork lift trucks do an incredible amount of good for the British economy, they are involved in causing more serious workplace injuries than cars and HGVs combined: over 400 annually.
“Every day in Britain, at least one worker is hospitalised with serious injuries, such as long-bone fracture, unconsciousness or amputation, following an accident involving a fork lift truck.”
Once every six weeks on average fatalities occur. Statistics from the HSE show that this frightening figure doubles in September, which has led some within the industry to call it ‘the deadliest month’.
“These statistics were the driving force behind launching our safety week in September. Tragic cases such as these reinforce just how important it is for the public to be vigilant and be aware of the very real dangers involved.”
National Fork Lift Safety Week (22nd-28th September) was a culmination of the FLTA’s month-long national campaign to reduce the number of serious injuries and fatalities caused by fork lift trucks in UK workplaces.
The industry body’s key message – “Pedestrians and fork lift trucks don’t mix” – reflects the startling truth that approximately two thirds of accidents kill or injure those not operating the fork lift truck, including those working alongside and visitors.
“Sadly, many of these accidents could have been avoided by taking simple steps. Whether you’re at work, in your local garden centre or DIY store, if you see a fork lift truck you need to be careful, keep well clear and never assume that a driver has seen you.
“Our work is far from finished. We still need people to be alert and to pass the message on to their colleagues and friends. Vigilant managers, operators, workers and members of the public can make a real difference – literally saving life and limb.”