WorkSafe targets seatbelt safety in state-wide forklift campaign

19 September 2005

A statewide campaign targeting the use of seatbelts on Victoria’s 85,000 forklifts begins today (MONDAY).

The Director of WorkSafe’s Manufacturing Logistics and Agriculture Program, Trevor Martin said that of 54 people killed in Victorian forklift-related fatalities since 1985, nine were operators who were crushed when they fell or jumped from the machine.

“Tip-overs are the second-highest cause of forklift-related deaths. They are also responsible for a high number of serious, and permanent, workplace injuries.”

“If a tip-over happens when a seatbelt is used the operator stays with the forklift rather than under it. That’s why seatbelts are important.

“They’re fitted as standard to modern forklifts. Older ones often have the capacity to have them fitted. If they can be fitted, they should be.

“Seatbelts can be fitted to 90% of forklifts,” Mr Martin said.

WorkSafe inspectors will visit 500 large and small workplaces across Victoria during the campaign which runs until June next year. As most workplaces with forklifts have several of the machines, the campaign will result in thousands being inspected.

“Expect to be inspected. Make sure your forklift is safe.

“WorkSafe inspectors will be looking at not just the presence of seatbelts, but whether or not they are in good condition and able to perform their job. If they can’t be fitted for some reason, other means of managing the risks associated with a tip-over should be put in place.”

“Like a lot of safety gear, seatbelts might not be needed often, but when they are, they’d better work.”

Employers have a responsibility to ensure seatbelts are provided and used. Forklift drivers share the responsibility to use them and work safely.

“Forklifts collide, lose loads and they tip. It may take a bump, a turn taken too fast, an unseen beam or a pedestrian to lose control. When things start going wrong it’s too late to take corrective action,” Mr Martin said.

While the campaign has been planned for some time, only last Thursday a man suffered head and chest injuries when he was crushed by a forklift which tipped at Tullamarine.

He remains in a critical condition at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Forklifts are found in any working environment from newsagents and bottle-shops to farms, factories, warehouses, workshops and the waterfront.

“WorkSafe has been working with industry for several years to improve forklift safety; improvements have been made, but there is still work to be done.”

WorkSafe has a range of guidance material about forklift safety including ‘Forklift Safety: Reducing the risk - Forklift instability’ which was released in June.

Guidance material is available by calling WorkSafe publications on 9641 1333 or on the internet on www.worksafe.vic.gov.au. WorkSafe’s advisory service can be contacted on 1800 136 089.

Further Information:

Website: Forklift Safety

Publication: view category forklift vehicles

Media inquiries: Michael Birt 0411-256-605 or 9641-1216 Public inquiries: Call the WorkSafe Advisory Service on 1800-136-089 between 8:30am and 5pm Monday to Friday, email info@worksafe.vic.gov.au or write to Advisory Service, PO Box 4306, Melbourne, 3001. [

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