Incident Investigation: Young Worker Falls From Forklift | WorkSafeBC

Summary

A young worker suffered a severe head injury after falling from an order-selector style forklift due to inadequate training and unsafe work practices. The incident highlights the importance of proper training, adhering to safety standards, and avoiding makeshift work platforms. The script urges employers to ensure equipment safety, supervise new workers, and follow manufacturer's instructions to prevent such accidents.

Takeaways

• 🚜 New equipment like an order-selector forklift can introduce unexpected dangers to the workplace.
• 🔍 Inadequate training on new equipment can lead to serious accidents, as seen with the new worker who had no prior forklift experience.
• 👷‍♂️ The Lead Hand, who was also inadequately trained, provided insufficient instruction on forklift operation and fall protection.
• 🚨 Employers must ensure that all workers are properly trained and authorized to use equipment before allowing them to operate it.
• 📐 The workplace setup, with protruding wood shelving and boxes, created an unsafe distance for workers to operate the order selector safely.
• 🛠️ The makeshift plywood-covered pallet used as a work platform was not compliant with safety standards, posing a serious hazard.
• 🔐 Using the makeshift platform compromised fall protection, as the safety lanyard was too short to reach into the racks.
• 💡 The incident highlights the importance of maintaining proper racking systems and following manufacturer's instructions for equipment operation.
• 👨‍🏫 Comprehensive training for workers and supervisors is crucial, including adherence to the CSA standard for lift truck operators and fall protection regulations.
• 👀 Supervisors must be knowledgeable about safe work procedures and regularly verify that workers are following them.
• 👶 Special attention is required for new and young workers, who may not recognize hazardous conditions in the workplace.
• 🛡️ While new equipment can offer benefits, it is essential to prioritize worker safety and protection against potential hazards.

Q & A

What was the main incident described in the script involving the new worker?

The main incident was a young worker falling from an elevated platform of an order-selector-style forklift, sustaining a serious head injury.

What type of equipment was involved in the incident?

An order-selector-style forklift was involved, which is different from a typical forklift as it has a designated operator’s platform that self-elevates to the desired height.

What were the two main roles of the workers in the warehouse?

The two main roles were the Lead Hand and the 'New Worker,' both of whom were responsible for hand-picking items out of boxes to fill orders.

What was the initial reason for the company to purchase the order selector?

The company purchased the order selector to make order-picking safer by giving workers easy access to all levels of racking in the warehouse.

What was the issue with the training the new worker received on the forklift operation?

The new worker had never run a forklift before and received minimal instruction from the Lead Hand, who was also inadequately trained on forklift operation and fall protection.

Why was the makeshift work platform on the forks unsafe?

The makeshift work platform was unsafe because it was not built to comply with required safety standards for work platforms mounted on forks, and it created a serious hazard to workers.

What was the consequence of using the plywood-covered pallet as a work platform?

Using the plywood-covered pallet as a work platform forced workers to forego using fall protection, as the safety lanyard was too short to allow them to reach into the racks.

What was the situation that led to the new worker's fall?

The new worker's fall was caused by an unsafe work platform with unguarded edges, no appropriate fall protection in use, and a gap to reach across while trying to access items on the racks.

What was the immediate action taken by the Lead Hand after hearing the noise from the new worker's area?

The Lead Hand immediately went to where the New Worker was working to see what had happened and found her on the floor, unresponsive.

What are some of the key lessons learned from this incident as outlined in the script?

Key lessons include always wearing fall protection, not using makeshift work platforms, maintaining racking systems, following manufacturer's instructions, training workers and supervisors to standards, and ensuring special care for new and young workers.

What additional measures should be taken to prevent similar incidents according to the script?

Additional measures include developing safe work procedures for new equipment, ensuring supervisors are knowledgeable and regularly check compliance with procedures, and considering the hazards of new equipment along with its benefits.