Save Money By Avoiding Forklift Accidents.?

Answer 1

According to the National Safety Council, as many as ten percent of all factory injuries are forklift related. Forklift accidents can be a major source of revenue drain for companies. And for workers, an accident can be catastrophic for their personal health or finances. That's why everyone in business has a vested interested in limiting these accidents whenever possible. Avoiding accidents is a money saving strategy that is often overlooked. Usually, the first person to be blamed in an accident is the forklift operator, but that's not always a fair approach. Twenty-five percent of all forklift accidents are caused by environmental factors that are easily avoidable, with a little preparation. The most common kind of forklift accident happens when a forklift operator strikes a pedestrian. Other common accidents include: workers injured by falling or out of control forklift loads; drivers pinning part of their body in between the forklift and the another object; and drivers actually driving their forklifts off of a loading dock.

There are several steps that can be taken to limit the potential for forklift accidents. These include: posting speed limits; making clearly defined pedestrian zones to isolate bystanders from potential injury; and installing mirrors in the facility, to increase reaction time for forklift operators. Additionally, forklifts are not "one size fits all," and should be carefully selected for their expected use. Stop signs should be used liberally, especially at warehouse exits and entrances. This can help offset the effect of moving from a dimly lit warehouse to a bright outdoor environment, which can cause disorientation for the operator. Employers should take special care that their ramps are edged with bright yellow paint. Spatial considerations are also very important. Employers often try to save precious warehouse space by building tightly cramped shelves. While understandable, an overly cramped workspace can lead to pinned and crushed body parts, which would seem to cause a tremendous expense in and of itself.

These are only a few of the ways that we can build a safe environment for forklifts. Whether a company owns their own forklifts, or uses a forklift rental service, forklift safety is a vital issue that shouldn't be left solely to forklift operators. By working together, workers and employers can improve their safety record, and save a tremendous amount of money in the long run.