I witnessed a serious Incident on BBC yesterday, please see my email.
Firstly I was very excited to have watched the Indian Grand Prix coverage on BBC sport, however I was very disappointed to have witnessed at the end of the GP an interview with Jake Humphrey, David Coultard and Sebastian Vettel which appeared to take part in the garage, behind vettel was a forklift truck driver sitting on a counter balance truck forward facing without a seat belt, he also leaned over out of the truck trying to listen to his colleague who was standing on the forks of the machine, whilst the operator proceeded to lift him at least to my estimate 3 meters in the air which is totally illegal not driving a forklift in accordance with his licence "if he has one " (RTITB) OR (ITSSAR) then while all this was taking place a photographer was under the forks taking photographs. I could not belive what I was witnessing and then Jake Humphrey remarked that vettel was not the only talented driver at redbull and suggested that the forklift drivers were rather talented, these comments and actions are nothing short of a disgrace.
With all the safety and money that goes into F1, I would never in a million years expected to be viewing something that is viewed by everyone to see all around the world.
In my 36 years in this industry of forklift trucks, I have witnessed many unfortunate accidents, and any individual in any industry would be in deep trouble with HSE. We strive to make driving a forklift safe in this industry, the incidents and the comments on TV would not be received very well by anyone in the materials handling profession.
This stupidity may have taken place in India but the operator I would think would have been suitably trained in Milton Keynes.
A fantastic race in India for me was spoiled by these incidents.
I look forward to your satisfactory responses concerning these issues.
I have contacted ofcom, F1, Redbull.
This is the link see how many items of poor H&S you can find http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/20116840
Showing items 1 - 4 of 4 results.
The reason no one really cares about safety is because safety costs money. I have seen situations like you describe over here on TV- the ones where I can't believe my eyes. I would think that OSHA would be all over the company for showing the stuff they show on TV- but nothing happens.
I was in a conversation with an old time forklift salesman once. He sold forklifts when overhead guards were optional. The way he sold overhead guards was by a cost comparison between the cost of the guard & cost of lost production of having to clean up a blood bath caused by an accident. Unfortunately we haven't moved to far from this extreme example.
The interview with the incident in question is on the BBC F1 website to view.
If someone wants to stand on the forks & be lifted up then thats down to there own choice & also if the operator is happy to let them.
If the forklift operator doesnt want to wear the seatbelt then again thats down to there own choice.
I wonder if RedBull have a safe system of work that covers those points for doing the job the 2 lads where taking part in?
I always wear the seatbelt & I wont lift anyone on the forks unless its in a proper lifting cage.
What I was more worried about where the people that walked between the front of the lift truck mast & the back of the trailer, serious risk of being crushed / killed if the forklift suddenly shot forwards.
Too many people being negative is the reason this continues, no body giving a s**t does not work when you are tried in a crown court.
I do believe that more should be done at an higher level and users need to take responsibilities very seriously as the consequencies could be greater, knowledge is powerful and so is the media, someone should give a s**t
If you follow F1 you will see it happens everywhere, even in Silverstone, and not just in India.
It probably happens every time some major exhibition takes place and stands need to be erected and taken down quickly.
The problem is that in reality nobody gives a S**t which is why it has become difficult to sell quality training.
The RTITB and all the others really are not in a position to enforce anything even if they like to think they can.
Only if there was some spectacular accident on TV for such an occasion would people understand the dangers and maybe take safety seriously.
Sorry to be negative but " been there done that " Etc.
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