Safety alert issued after worker almost crushed to death by forklift load

NT WorkSafe has issued a safety alert highlighting the risk of serious injury or death when using a forklift, especially when exclusion zones are not maintained around operating forklifts.

The alert was issued after a worker in Darwin was severely injured when a load weighing 1.2 tonnes slipped from a forklift and crushed him.

The incident occurred last year as two workers were loading of bundles of steel onto a trailer using a forklift. 

The injured worker, who was a subcontractor, was acting as a spotter and standing on the opposite side of the trailer from the forklift, when a load slipped from the forklift tynes as it was being lowered.

Initial reports of the incident to NT WorkSafe indicated the worker had sustained life threatening injuries. 

Fortunately, the worker survived but suffered multiple fractures throughout his body and was hospitalised for two months. The worker is still receiving medical treatment and faces months of rehabilitation.

The alert recommended a number of required actions:

• Carry out a risk assessment before commencing any work to identify the potential hazards and identify control measures to control the risk.
  o Consider if there is a safer method to lift and load such an awkward load? (E.g. using a jib attachment for the forklift or another item of plant).
  
• Develop and document safe work procedures for the task at hand and have them readily available for all workers and sub-contractors.
• Always conduct a prestart check before starting the forklift and once the forklift has started, check all the controls, pedals and brakes are operating correctly.
  o The checklist on page 12 the Guide Forklift safety – reducing the risks can assist.
  o If any damage or problems are noticed, isolate the forklift so it cannot be used and organise for a service or repairs.
• Loads that have the ability to slip, fall or roll off the forklift tynes or pallet should be appropriately restrained to prevent it from happening.
• Before operating the forklift that requires a spotter, the operator, spotter and any other workers involved in the task must establish a system of communication before any work starts, this system should:
  o Stop workers (including the spotter) from approaching the forklift until the operator has established visual contact and has signalled that it is safe to approach.
  o If an operator has signalled a worker to approach, the operator should, stop lower the load, apply the handbrake, and take their hands off the controls.
  o If the operator loses sight of the worker, they should stop operations until they re-establish visual contact with the worker.
• Workers should never approach the forklift and assume that the operator can see them.
• Workers should never stand under or near a raised load in case of equipment malfunction or operator error.

The use of a forklift is considered high risk work and the alert said this requires the operator to hold an appropriate licence to perform high risk work issued by NT WorkSafe or another Australian Work Health and Safety Regulator. 
It is an offence to operate a forklift without a licence or with an expired licence.