Just a few weeks have passed since the close of Britain’s first ever ‘safety week’ campaign related specifically to fork lift trucks, but we at the FLTA are aware that our work is not yet done: fork lift safety is for life – not just National Fork Lift Safety Week. The recent deaths of two workers in Britain are strong reminders of just how important fork lift safety is. In Scotland, an industrial accident involving a fork lift truck killed Czech contractor Ondrej Hladik, 46, at the £150 million Glendoe hydro-electric scheme near Fort Augustus.
Just ten days later, a fork lift truck claimed the life of 65-year-old Fred Roberts in Doncaster. Mr Roberts suffered fatal injuries after – it was reported – a quantity of pallets fell upon him from a workplace fork lift.
Sadly, these are by no means isolated incidents. Although Britain’s 350,000 fork lift trucks do an incredible amount of good for the British economy, they are involved in causing more serious workplace injuries than cars and HGVs combined: over 400 annually.
Each day in Britain at least one worker is hospitalised with serious injuries, such as long-bone fracture, unconsciousness or amputation, following an accident involving a fork lift truck.
As many as two thirds of accidents kill or injure someone who was not driving the truck at the time – meaning anyone visiting or working at one of the estimated 100,000 British businesses that use a fork lift truck could be at risk.
With statistics like these, it is crucial that people who are not fork lift truck operators understand that “Pedestrians and fork lifts don’t mix.” As an industry, it is crucial that we pass it on to as many people as possible.
Our message has been welcomed by accident victims, including Lisa Ramos from Kirkby-in-Ashfield. While at work in 2006, Lisa’s left leg was crushed by a reversing, 2.5 tonne fork lift truck. The accident caused horrific injuries and led to an above-the-knee amputation.
Still undergoing rehabilitation and in constant pain, the brave 35-year-old mum was keen to warn drivers and pedestrians alike to take the dangers more seriously.
During National Fork Lift Safety Week Lisa tirelessly campaigned throughout the East Midlands – communicating the importance of vigilance and the real dangers of fork lifts to the general public.
Lisa was by no means alone in spreading this lifesaving message. Across the UK, FLTA members raised awareness in their workplaces and out in the community.
Our work, however, is far from finished. We still need people to be alert and to pass the message on to their colleagues and friends. Vigilant managers, operators, workers and members of the public can make a real difference – literally saving life and limb.
The Fork Lift Truck Association
Tel: 01256 381441
Email: mail@fork-truck.org.uk
www.fork-truck.org.uk
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