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What happened?
At the quayside a forklift was traveling forward with cargo/loads on its forks.
While approaching the gate entrance, the forklift operator was not aware of a parking mini truck in the front, resulting in a collision between vehicles.
No injury was reported from this incident but some damages to the mini truck.
However, the potential consequences could be a serious injury or even a fatality should a more powerful impact occur due to greater traveling speed of the forklift or if the mini truck was moving at the same time.
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Why did it happen?
Front view was blocked by the cargo/load, i.e. blind traveling.
Lack of communication: spotter not alerting/stopping the forklift operator in time and no appropriate communication means at the time of the incident (e.g. walkie-talkies).
Lack of supervision.
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What did they learn?
Adopting reverse driving whilst carrying oversized cargo and/or the front view is obstructed by the cargo.
Always travel at a speed that suits load and road conditions.
Ensure suitable arrangements of spotters / banks workers / signal operators in place during forklift operations.
Use two-way radio between forklift operators and assigned helpers.
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Ask yourself or your crew
Before operations:
- Is there a Lift Plan in which clear roles and responsibilities are defined and suitable arrangements of resources are considered? Are the method statements considered reasonable with sufficient risk assessments conducted?
- Have certificates for personnel and equipment been verified as acceptable?
- Have pre-use checks been carried out on equipment and machinery?
During operations:
- Is the communication always working well?
- Should we STOP and THINK when encountering difficulties or uncertainty which may require a change to the agreed way of working?
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What happened?
At the quayside a forklift was traveling forward with cargo/loads on its forks.
While approaching the gate entrance, the forklift operator was not aware of a parking mini truck in the front, resulting in a collision between vehicles.
No injury was reported from this incident but some damages to the mini truck.
However, the potential consequences could be a serious injury or even a fatality should a more powerful impact occur due to greater traveling speed of the forklift or if the mini truck was moving at the same time.
Why did it happen?
Front view was blocked by the cargo/load, i.e. blind traveling.
Lack of communication: spotter not alerting/stopping the forklift operator in time and no appropriate communication means at the time of the incident (e.g. walkie-talkies).
Lack of supervision.
What did they learn?
Adopting reverse driving whilst carrying oversized cargo and/or the front view is obstructed by the cargo.
Always travel at a speed that suits load and road conditions.
Ensure suitable arrangements of spotters / banks workers / signal operators in place during forklift operations.
Use two-way radio between forklift operators and assigned helpers.
Ask yourself or your crew
Before operations:
- Is there a Lift Plan in which clear roles and responsibilities are defined and suitable arrangements of resources are considered? Are the method statements considered reasonable with sufficient risk assessments conducted?
- Have certificates for personnel and equipment been verified as acceptable?
- Have pre-use checks been carried out on equipment and machinery?
During operations:
- Is the communication always working well?
- Should we STOP and THINK when encountering difficulties or uncertainty which may require a change to the agreed way of working?
A forklift hit a parked mini truck at a gate, causing damage but no injuries. A higher speed impact or both vehicles moving could have caused serious harm.
