Technician rolls ankle exiting forklift

What happened?

A technician suffered a minor ankle injury as the stepped down from a forklift truck (FLT).

The technician had parked the FLT and as they climbed down, placed a foot on uneven ground.

This caused them to slip and roll their ankle. They checked it by putting weight on it and moving it.

The technician was able to drive the FLT back to the production office and inform their line manager.

They did not require first aid or medical treatment, but there was a small amount of swelling.

Ground conditions on the site are known to be soft and uneven.

All personnel had been advised to take care when walking around the site.

The technician was aware of the ground conditions and had worked at the site before.

Ground conditions are being addressed through ongoing maintenance.

Use spatial awareness, competence and knowledge of the site to recognise potential hazards when stepping down from a forklift truck.

Caution signs have been placed around the site to advise people of the uneven and soft ground.

What hazards have I identified while walking or moving around the site?

What dangers are present in my surroundings?

Where are the marked areas of uneven ground, and where should vehicles not be parked because of ground conditions?

What safety measures so we have in place to mitigate the risk, and how do we know they are working?

What happened?

A technician suffered a minor ankle injury as the stepped down from a forklift truck (FLT).
The technician had parked the FLT and as they climbed down, placed a foot on uneven ground.
This caused them to slip and roll their ankle. They checked it by putting weight on it and moving it.
The technician was able to drive the FLT back to the production office and inform their line manager.
They did not require first aid or medical treatment, but there was a small amount of swelling.
Why did it happen?

Ground conditions on the site are known to be soft and uneven.
All personnel had been advised to take care when walking around the site.
The technician was aware of the ground conditions and had worked at the site before.
What did they learn?

Ground conditions are being addressed through ongoing maintenance.
Use spatial awareness, competence and knowledge of the site to recognise potential hazards when stepping down from a forklift truck.
Caution signs have been placed around the site to advise people of the uneven and soft ground.
Ask yourself or your crew

What hazards have I identified while walking or moving around the site?
What dangers are present in my surroundings?
Where are the marked areas of uneven ground, and where should vehicles not be parked because of ground conditions?
What safety measures so we have in place to mitigate the risk, and how do we know they are working?