bryan n:

I have to place the number one cause of forklift accidents on a universal lack of management involvement in the development and implementation of forklift safety programs. This includes risk assessment, hazard analysis, equipment selection, operator selection, safety training at all levels (department managers, supervisors, forklift operators, pedestrians, contractors) operating policies, operating procedures, work force supervision, accountability, equipment maintenance, workplace layout and environment, etc.

The only way to rectify it is to train managers in what is involved in safe forklift operations and to hold management personally accountable for failure to implement sound forklift safety programs. This has to be a collaborative effort of occupational safety and health regulators, insurance carriers, equipment manufacturers, equipment vendors, forklift training organizations, business organizations, employee organizations, etc.

It is a daunting task that is easier to define than to accomplish!