At FMS Training, we always prioritise safety on the job, especially when operating heavy machinery like forklifts. Recently, WorkSafe Queensland issued an Incident Alert regarding a serious accident involving a worker who fell from a forklift while performing their duties.
This tragic incident serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of proper training, hazard identification, and safety measures in the workplace. We urge all employers and workers to review the circumstances surrounding this incident and take steps to prevent similar occurrences.
Incident Overview
The incident occurred when the worker, who was operating a forklift, fell from the elevated work platform. Although the worker was wearing the required personal protective equipment (PPE), including a helmet, the fall resulted in significant injuries. For more details, visit the link.
Key Takeaways:
- Proper Training: This accident highlights the critical need for workers to receive thorough and regular training on forklift operation. Workers should be familiar with the safe handling of forklifts, including understanding proper loading, unloading, and the use of safety features like the operator cage and harness.
- Use of Fall Protection: While personal protective equipment such as helmets is important, employers must ensure workers are provided with additional fall protection where appropriate, such as safety harnesses or guardrails for elevated tasks.
- Risk Assessment: It is essential that employers continuously assess the workplace for hazards, particularly those related to working at heights and machinery operation.
- Clear Protocols: All staff should be trained on the emergency response protocol in case of an accident, ensuring that immediate and appropriate action is taken to reduce injury severity.
Steps to Prevent Accidents:
- Regular Safety Training: Ensure that workers operating forklifts or any other heavy machinery have up-to-date safety training. This includes basic forklift handling, load balancing, and emergency procedures.
- Adequate Safety Equipment: Implement the use of fall arrest systems where workers are required to work at heights.
- Conduct Regular Safety Audits: Employers should periodically assess the safety measures in place, ensuring compliance with the latest safety standards and making improvements where needed.
- Engage with Professional Trainers: Companies should work with registered training organisations (RTOs) like FMS Training to ensure workers receive nationally recognised, high-quality training.
At FMS Training, we emphasise the importance of preventing such incidents by offering comprehensive forklift training and safety protocols. To protect your team, ensure that they are not just skilled in operating forklifts, but are also educated on the potential hazards and preventive measures.
Get in Touch for Training
If you’re looking to enhance your team’s forklift safety skills or need to ensure compliance with Worksafe standards, contact us today. We offer forklift license training in Brisbane tailored to your workplace needs and can help implement safety systems that work.
Our training also covers the TLILIC0003 Licence to Operate a Forklift Truck and the TLILIC0004 Licence to Operate an Order Picking Forklift Truck, ensuring workers are fully certified and prepared for safe operations.