Preventing Forklift Truck Accidents at Work

Who is Responsible for a Forklift Truck Accident?

Employers have a legal duty to provide and maintain a safe system of work.

In workplaces where there is heavy machinery present, like warehouses, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 place duties on people and companies to operate, control, maintain and inspect equipment.

Employers can be prosecuted and fined if they’re found to have breached any of these regulations and failed to keep their workers safe.

In some cases, there may be more than one business involved. For example, an accident may happen when one firm is accepting or unloading a delivery brought in by a supplier. If the supplier or courier failed to securely load each pallet and this resulted in an accident, it may be necessary to pursue a claim against several organisations. 

If you suffer such an injury, make sure to find out the details of the company that delivered the item, report the accident to your employer and make sure your employer reports the accident to the other firm.

What Safety Measures Should Employers Take?

There are multiple measures employers should take to reduce the chances of forklift truck accidents happening in the workplace. For example, they should:

• maintain a clean, well-organised and tidy workplace;
• carry out rigorous risk assessments and update them regularly to identify material risks;
• provide adequate training to staff, so they’re aware of risks and how to deal with them;
• have adequate supervision of staff in place, along with a system of inspecting and maintaining machinery;
• put up warning signs close to known hazards, such as uneven surfaces and dangerous machinery, and ensure safe walkways and routes in busy warehouses are clearly marked;
• make sure forklift drivers wear a seatbelt, hard hat and hi-vis vest, take regular breaks and drive at appropriate speeds;
• provide personal protective equipment, such as hard hats, goggles and gloves;
• maintain safe loading and unloading processes, and use lifting equipment most appropriate for the task;
• make sure all lifting equipment is clearly marked with the safe working load limit.

If an employer was negligent and failed to keep you safe at work and you’re injured as a result, you could claim compensation for your injuries. Contact our Serious Injury Solicitors so we can discuss your situation with you.