Another forklift incident leaves WorkSafe Inspectors shaking their heads
NT WorkSafe Inspectors have attended another forklift tip over, making it the third such incident in four weeks in the Territory.
In the latest case in Katherine, a licensed operator was reversing on rough ground with a car wreck lifted high on the forklift mast, when the forklift tipped over. Fortunately the operator was wearing a seatbelt and escaped injury.
NT WorkSafe issued a safety alert last week to remind forklift owners and operators of the hazards associated with operating forklifts, in particular on uneven ground with elevated heavy and large dimension loads.
Employers have a duty to ensure the health and safety of their forklift operators and that the operation of forklifts in their workplace does not put the health and safety of others (at the workplace) at risk.
This duty includes, making sure workers are provided with a safe system to operate forklifts safely, and provided with information, training and instruction to perform the task safely.
Workers also have a duty to take care of their own health and safety, and to make sure their actions do not put at risk the health and safety of others.
NT WorkSafe’s Acting Manager for Safety Assurance Bruce McKinley’s team has been conducting a forklift safety focus with NT WorkSafe Inspectors visiting and providing information to more than 80 workplaces across the Territory in the past two weeks.
“Operating a forklift with a fully extended mast on uneven ground is well below any acceptable standard for safety,” Mr McKinley said.
“This is a call to action to all employers of forklift operators to toolbox this safety alert, and reinforce their safe systems of work at their very next opportunity.”
“If your workplace hasn’t been visited and you would like to schedule a visit to have a chat with an Inspector about forklift safety, give us a call on 1800 019 115,” Mr McKinley said.
