Health and Safety Fork Lift Trucks Health and Safety Awareness Adams Burt (H&S) Ltd

Situations?

Working Safely Some thoughts to get started... "One of the most dangerous things you can do is turn up for work!" Dr Michael V. Manning

H&S Awareness Course Purpose To help raise awareness of Health and Safety when using an FLT NOT to teach you how to drive it!!!

Introduction Fork lift trucks are found in a variety of situations in all types of industries. Unfortunately, they also feature prominently in work place accidents.

The Problem Each year there are approximately 8000 reportable accidents involving fork lift trucks. This is about 1/3 of all transport related accidents at work These injuries, some of which are fatal, create untold suffering for the victims and their dependents.

Reasons for the Problem Generally these accidents result from: lack of operator training and awareness Lack of co-worker awareness (a well known FLT manufacturer recently stated that 60% of injuries/fatalities are sustained by co-workers) poor maintenance no safe systems of work regarding lift truck operations

Main Risks The main risks associated with FLTs are: Being struck by an FLT The FLT rolling over Driver being struck by falling items Passengers falling out Unauthorised start up Inadequate braking Restricted driver visibility

Struck by a Truck In the UK in 2001 three people were killed and 67 injured when struck by a Fork Lift Truck

Training Most training concentrates on driver safety but we also need to be pro-active in ensuring the people around us are aware of the risks One thing to remember – any pedestrian getting into an argument with an FLT is almost certainly bound to lose

Working at Height

Safe Working Platform!

Moral Duty of Care Physical and Emotional pain and ill health Staff Morale Legal Enforcement and Prosecution Civil Law Financial Costs of accidents Loss of trade Accident Prevention

The Law – Lifting Operations A number of different laws apply to working with FLTs – the main ones are: Health & Safety at Work Act Management of H&S at Work Regulations Provision & Use of Work Equipment Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Workplace Health Safety & Welfare Personal Protective Equipment

Enabling Act VDU Regulations Work Equipment COSHH PPE Manual Handling Management of H&S at Work Health & Safety at Work Act

Section 2 “…employers duty to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable the health safety and welfare at work of all employees”. Section 3 “…employers duty to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable that persons not in his employment but who may be affected are not exposed to risks to health and safety”. Health & Safety at Work Act

Section 4 “.. duty of each person who has control of premises to ensure as far as reasonably practicable the premises and any substances or equipment in them is safe and without risks to health” Health & Safety at Work Act

Section 7 “ employees must take reasonable care of themselves and others by virtue of what they do or neglect to do and without risks to health” Employees must co-operate with their employer in fulfilling legal requirements Section 8 “no person shall intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of H&S” Health & Safety at Work Act

MHSWR Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations

Employers must Assess risks to workforce (and others affected), includes young persons, pregnant women and women of childbearing age Make arrangements to put appropriate measures in place including planning, controlling monitoring and reviewing The appointment of a ‘competent person’ Management Regulations (1)

Management Regulations (2) Employers must Set up emergency procedures Provide employees with information on health and safety matters Ensure employees (including casuals) have adequate training

Management Regulations (3) Employees must Co-operate with the employer Report faults, defects, unsafe procedures Follow health and safety instructions

Assessment of the Risk Time Trouble Cost Physical difficulty Reasonably Practicable A balancing act Need to consider the effort needed to make safe – against the cost and possibility of injury

Work Equipment (1) Equipment must be: Suitable for use – FLT to suit job Take into account the conditions/hazards Used for intended purpose Maintained in good order Users trained and provided with adequate instruction

Work Equipment (2) No one to be carried on mobile work equipment unless designed for it Suitable restraining system (Dec 2002) Equipped to reduce risk in case of rollover Prevention of unauthorised starting Device for braking or stopping If direct line of vision inadequate – devices to improve vision

Lifting Equipment & Operations (1) Employer must ensure equipment: Is of adequate strength Stable in use Every part of load and anything attached to it and used for lifting is of adequate strength Marked with Safe Working Load Information indicating safe working load for each configuration kept with FLT

Lifting Equipment & Operations (2) Lifting operations must be: Properly planned Appropriately supervised Carried out in a safe manner Lifting equipment must be Thoroughly Examined at least once every 12 months – more often if there are conditions which could cause deterioration and result in dangerous situations

Video RoSPA - Accident Replay

Damage!

More Damage

Spot the Problem!

Day-to-Day Considerations Pedestrians Daily Checks Lifting & Transporting Loads Charging Do’s & Don’ts

Pedestrians Segregation Flashing Beacon Reversing Beeper Side Mirrors Safe Working Systems

Driver Maintenance Tyres Oil levels Chains Bleeper Lights Water Steering Mast Battery/ies Hydraulic leaks Daily Check to include:

Lifting & Transporting Load weight Load Security Pallets Lifting Capacity Check Route Overhead hazards Other traffic Travelling load position Speed limit Loading bays

Battery Charging Well ventilated area Eye protection Eye wash facilities Overfilling batteries with water

Don’ts Do Not: Allow people to walk under the load Leave a truck unattended with keys in ignition Carry passengers Drive forward if visibility impaired Operate truck with load raised - except at very low speeds

Do’s Do: Be careful with pedestrians Keep to the speed limits Sound horn at potential danger spots Stop before entering a building – sound horn – enter Avoid violent breaking

Conclusion Any Questions?

The End