"will extra protection such as shoulder harness type belts help the opertor keep control of the forklift"

obviously not, if they don't wear it

In any of those cases, would having had a restraint that secured the operator's shoulders in place (as I understand the advantage of a 5 point over a lap belt) -available- have made any differneces? if it is not used?
And would not having the belt USED have prevented both of these very serious injuries? I know I have seen accidents where the motor was torn off the mounts and the frame "tweakeed" out of alignment, in a 2 truck full speed forks to forks direct impact, but the operators were in good enough condition to blame each other, as both had lapbelts in use.
And has there been any consideration that using a "racing style" -anything- would make the operator feel as though their level of "impervious" was increased so higher speeds were considered "OK".
Not to mention the fact that an operator MUST be able to see and drive "forks last" and not held into a "forks first" position?
Cownd, I apologize if we seem to consider the subject in too light a manner, no serious injury should be considered humorous. after all, thats why they are -serious- injuries.