According to the CDC, the most common lift truck accident are forklift rollovers, also known as forklift overturns. The latest figures from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) show that there are around 85-87 forklift-related deaths and 34,000 forklift-related injuries every year. In 42% of fatal cases, the victim was crushed by a forklift rollover.
The main causes of forklift rollovers include:
- Turning too quickly
- Overweight or imbalanced loads
- Abrupt mast movement
- Turning on an incline
- Driving with elevated load
- Driving on uneven surface
But all of these causes have a single, fundamental cause: lack of adequate training. An OSHA study found that 25% of forklift accidents were directly caused by inadequate training, but there are far more mistakes that might be prevented with adequate employer investment. One study estimates that 70% of forklift errors could be reduced with proper training.
Employers Are Responsible for Preventing Forklift Accidents
Statistically, 1 in 10 forklifts will be involved in an accident this year. Forklifts make construction and logistics work possible, but it also makes them dangerous. It's up to companies to mitigate the risks of working with a forklift through training, well-maintained equipment, and adequate staffing. Cutting corners always ends in injury, and it's only right that companies compensate the workers who end up paying for their choices.
The only way companies pay for their mistakes is when the law forces them to. That's why Handler, Henning & Rosenberg LLC exists: to ensure that injured workers can hold negligent companies accountable for forklift accidents and any other serious harm. Our Pennsylvania construction accident attorneys have been fighting for the injured since 1922, helping them get compensation for medical care, lost wages, and catastrophic damages. If you were injured in a forklift accident, speak with us to discuss your options.
Call (888) 498-3023 or contact us using our short online form for a free consultation.