Forklift Safety
Have You Suffered a Forklift Injury?
Millions of forklifts are in used in construction sites and industrial settings. Forklift accidents account for many thousands of severe injuries and a large number of deaths each year in the United States.
Mark J. LeWinter, Esquire, of Anapol Schwartz law firm, tried a case in Wilmington, Delaware where a jury awarded the plaintiff $14 million because of unsafe construction site practices. Do you have a forklift injury? Do you need a forklift lawyer knowledgeable about forklift accidents?
What are the causes of forklift accidents?
- 26 percent of forklift accidents are caused by the forklift tipping over from overloading weight limits
- 18 percent of forklift accidents involve employees or pedestrians being hit by forklifts
- 14 percent of forklift accidents occur by the load falling off of the forklift
- 14 percent of forklift accidents occur when forklifts are used to elevate people
- 7 percent of forklift accidents occur due to forklifts accidentally being driven off loading docks
- 7 percent of forklift accidents occur due of improper or no forklift maintenance such as malfunctioning of the brakes, steering, transmission, or hydraulic system. Missing or malfunctioning safety devices can contribute to a forklift accident. Forklifts should be equipped with a roll over protection system which will prevent the forklift operator from being thrown or crushed in the event the forklift tips over
- 7 percent is caused by improper workplace design for forklift operation such as narrow or crowded aisles, a high level of foot traffic where the forklift is operated, vision obstructions, and other workplace conditions such as light and noise are all hazards that might contribute to a forklift accident
- 3 percent of forklift accidents occur because of loss of forklift control by the operator
- 3 percent of forklift accidents occur because of improper use of fork lift
Other forklift injury factors include:
- Lack of proper training for forklift drivers – Improperly backing up, turning, or parking the forklift can contribute to a forklift accident. Poor communication to those around the forklift, giving rides on the forklift, or horseplay on the forklift can contribute to a forklift accident.
- The amount of stress involved in the pace of production – Workers rushing to move inventory or meet orders increase the likelihood of forklift accidents.
OSHA requires forklift operators to be 18 years if age or older and to be properly trained. OSHA has specific training requirements that the forklift operator must satisfy. The specific training requirements vary depending on whether the forklift operator is loading and unloading product, is working with hazardous materials, or is performing maintenance on the forklift.
Contact Anapol Schwartz to find out if you have a forklift related lawsuit. Don’t just settle for workers compensation. Talk to a lawyer about what happened and what they can do to help you.