Forklift safety campaign comes to Campbellfield

01 October 2003

WorkSafe Victoria’s statewide forklift safety campaign comes to Campbellfield on 16 October. Held in conjunction with the National Registered Assessors Association, the free seminar will update local transport and storage operators and other businesses on occupational health and safety issues affecting them.

The free seminar is being held at the Sylvania Hotel, 1631 Sydney Road Campbellfield from 3pm to 6pm.

WorkSafe’s Executive Director, John Merritt, said forklifts are among the most common, and dangerous, pieces of equipment in Victorian workplaces.

Two men have been killed by forklifts this year (Colac and West Melbourne).

“Fifty workers have been killed in Victorian since January 1985. Over the same period more than 6000 people have suffered serious injuries leading to more than $130 million being paid in workers’ compensation payments.”

“Twenty-eight of those killed were pedestrians.

“Forklift safety is an issue affecting employers ranging from bottle shops and supermarkets through to all forms of manufacturing.

“It also affects truck drivers who may not be using a forklift, but who are the frequent victims while standing near their vehicle when they’re being loaded or unloaded.

The new campaign is combined with a strict ‘zero tolerance’ enforcement policy that involves WorkSafe inspectors visiting workplaces across the state.

“Separating the machines and pedestrians is crucial, but ensuring operators are properly trained and supervised gives them, and the business, an added layer of protection.

”Forklifts and the loads they carry are extremely heavy. Even at very low speeds, forklifts can crush and severely injure bystanders.

“At higher speeds, a substantial distance is required to stop a fully laden forklift, as heavy braking can cause the forklift to tip over or lose its load.

“Insecure loads can fall from stationary forklifts and heavy loads can be dislodged onto pedestrians during loading and stacking activities.”

To support the safety seminars, WorkSafe has launched a comprehensive advertising campaign reminding employers that ‘pedestrians and forklifts don’t mix’.

“Forklifts are essential tools in many businesses, but they must be used safely,” Mr Merritt said.

WorkSafe Victoria has produced an information pack designed to prevent forklift accidents occurring. It focuses on improving forklift traffic management in the workplace.

The information pack contains a guide for employers covering traffic management, forklift stability, ventilation of workplaces, forklift maintenance and legal issues. Stickers warning of safety issues and a daily safety checklist are also included.

The pack is free and is available by emailing publications@worksafe.vic.gov.au or calling 1800 136 089.

The guide and other material on a range of safety topics can also be downloaded separately at www.workcover.vic.gov.au

Bookings for the seminar can be made by contacting Clif Hardy from the National Registered Assessors Association on 9878 5390 or by email, nraa.secretary@bigpond.com.

Overview of forklift injuries and fatalities Collisions with pedestrians and loads falling onto pedestrians (29% of injuries, 56% of fatalities) Rollovers and unexpected movement of forklifts crushing operators (29% of fatalities) People falling from makeshift platforms elevated on forklift fork arms (12% of fatalities) Slips, trips and falls getting on and off forklifts (operators) (27% of injuries) Sprains and strains while driving forklifts (operators) (19% of injuries)