10 Common Causes of Forklift Accidents

Forklift accidents can lead to serious consequences, so it is important for those operating this heavy duty machinery to take the proper safety precautions. The first step to creating a safe operating environment is to understand the common factors that lead to accidents. Here is a breakdown of the most common causes of forklift accidents:

1. Forklift operators failing to communicate with other people
2. Speeding
3. The forklift is driven with an elevated load
4. The operator is doing things with the forklift he/she is not supposed to be doing (performing tricks)
5. The forklift has not been parked properly
6. The operator fails to follow proper procedure when backing up, turning, or braking
7. Overworked or overstressed forklift operators
8. Encouraging forklift operators to cut corners to get the job done more quickly
9. Poor maintenance of forklifts
10. Failing to replace forklifts when they are no longer safe to use

Many forklift accidents are preventable, and the key to avoiding them is to understand the common contributing factors and how to reduce these risks. In order to create a safe forklift environment, there needs to be a team effort and a willingness to make safety a priority. Andersen Material Handling is here to make sure that your operators are correctly trained and certified to OSHA standards.

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