Fork Lift Truck Accidents

Fork lift truck accidents usually occur in factories, construction sites or in warehouses where vehicles are used to lift heavy loads and building materials. Using a fork lift truck (or FLT) can prevent the need to lift goods and materials manually and can improve productivity. Those using fork lift trucks should be trained in how to operate them safely in order to prevent fork lift truck accidents from occurring.

Types of fork lift truck accidents

The types of factory accidents which might involve fork lift trucks are varied, but might include any of the following circumstances:

• Where loads have fallen from a fork lift truck or from high stacks onto passers by
• Where fork lift trucks have fallen over or toppled due to unsafe surfaces
• Fork lift truck collisions with pedestrians, objects or other vehicles

Preventing fork lift truck accidents

According to statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), fork lift truck accidents account for 24% of all work related transport accidents. Training is one of the single most important aspects in preventing fork lift truck accidents from happening, and if an employer fails to provide training, they may be liable for a compensation claim should one of their employees be injured.

Although there is no such thing as a fork lift truck driver's licence, under Regulation 9 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, every employer is required by law to give employees adequate training before they use work equipment. This training can be provided by an in-house instructor or an externally sourced expert. The UK's Fork Lift Truck Association recommends that employers issue their employees with a certificate to detail the training they have received.

In addition to thorough training, routes being used by fork lift trucks should be clearly marked and separated from pedestrian routes with protective barriers. In addition, those working with fork lift trucks should be provided with safety equipment such as protective helmets, boots and fluorescent jackets so that the risk of injury resulting from accidents is minimised. Finally, all fork lift trucks in the workplace should be inspected on a regular basis and be kept in good working condition.

Fork lift truck accident compensation

If your employer has failed to take these precautions, and you've been injured as a result, you may be eligible to claim compensation.

When claiming factory accident compensation from your employer, you shouldn't worry about your claim affecting the business financially. Employers are required by law to take out liability insurance for incidents such as fork lift truck accidents - any compensation awarded to you will be paid by their insurers. What's more, there is no need to worry that you might lose your job if you make a claim - this is actually illegal, and amounts to unfair dismissal.

If you've been injured in a fork lift truck accident and you'd like to claim compensation, getting started is easy. Simply call one of our helpful legally trained advisors, or start your claim online by filling in the short form, and we'll take care of the rest.