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What happened?
Operators attempted to use a forklift for the unloading of some timber mats.
The mats had initially been loaded using a crane.
Consequently, the height of the wooden blocks on which the mats were held, was insufficient to allow the forklift forks to pass underneath.
The forklift driver inadvertently pushed the timber mats causing some to fall off.
The timber mats, each weighing 700 kg (1543 lbs), fell from a height of 2.5 metres (8.2 feet).
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Why did it happen?
The operator was only guided from one side, with no spotter present on the other side.
The method used did not adhere to the unloading safety protocol that had been signed by both the transport company and site prior to delivery.
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What did they learn?
Always use the designated equipment for a specific task.
Operators must be properly guided from all sides, especially when handling heavy loads.
The presence of a spotter on both sides is crucial to make sure that a safe area is monitored to prevent accident.
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Ask yourself or your crew
Is the right equipment available to perform the task?
Are adequate numbers of spotters available to support the task?
Are all operators/spotters aware of the correct procedure for doing a task safely?
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What happened?
Operators attempted to use a forklift for the unloading of some timber mats.
The mats had initially been loaded using a crane.
Consequently, the height of the wooden blocks on which the mats were held, was insufficient to allow the forklift forks to pass underneath.
The forklift driver inadvertently pushed the timber mats causing some to fall off.
The timber mats, each weighing 700 kg (1543 lbs), fell from a height of 2.5 metres (8.2 feet).
Why did it happen?
The operator was only guided from one side, with no spotter present on the other side.
The method used did not adhere to the unloading safety protocol that had been signed by both the transport company and site prior to delivery.
What did they learn?
Always use the designated equipment for a specific task.
Operators must be properly guided from all sides, especially when handling heavy loads.
The presence of a spotter on both sides is crucial to make sure that a safe area is monitored to prevent accident.
Ask yourself or your crew
Is the right equipment available to perform the task?
Are adequate numbers of spotters available to support the task?
Are all operators/spotters aware of the correct procedure for doing a task safely?
Operators used a forklift to unload timber mats but couldn’t position forks due to low blocks. Mats fell from 2.5 m (8.2 ft); each weighed 700 kg (1543 lbs).
