David Ellison

Despite advances in forklift design and technology, the number of forklift incidents remain "stubbornly high", according to David Ellison, chief executive of the Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA).

The UK Health and Safety Commission last week released the latest work-related fatal injury statistics. The number of UK workers fatally injured in 2006/07 rose to 241, compared with 217 in 2005/06.

FLTA, which does not collate data on forklift incidents, estimates over 400 UK workers are killed or seriously injured in forklift incidents annually.
Ellison is concerned about the myths and misconceptions in the industry. "Often those who follow the myths are unaware of [Health and Safety Executive/HSE] legislation.

"Regular enquiries to FLTA make it clear many managers and operators are confused by some of the legislation and official guidance covering forklifts," he says.

Ellison will discuss common forklift myths about operating on public roads, licences and training, thorough examination and work platforms at FLTA's National Fork Lift Truck Safety Conference in Warwick University on 27 September.

On July 3, UK local councils joined a campaign at the Local Government Association (LGA) national conference in Birmingham, to confront misunderstandings that undermine health and safety legislation.

LGA chief executive Paul Coen said the majority of health and safety decisions went unnoticed because they were effective and balanced.

"However, 'myths' about health and safety gone mad and the rare decision that proves to be excessively restrictive have undermined our achievement in protecting our workers and the community," he said.

The London Borough of Brent, Stratford District Council in Warwickshire, Hampshire County Council and Newport City Council committed to follow HSE's 10 principles of sensible risk management, launched in August 2006. The principles can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/risk/index.htm.

British Industrial Truck Association (BITA) secretary-general James Clark welcomes the existing level of scrutiny on forklift users.

Clark says forklift users in UK are regulated by legislation that included the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, and the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998.

"The challenge for forklift users lies in understanding what's necessary to run a safe and legal operation without getting bogged down in details and technicalities that divert attention from the needs of running a business."

FLTA's Ellison agrees that the legislation is "not easy to read" and "certainly not easy to understand".

"There is a lot [of legislation] but most is not forklift-specific."

The two associations, committed to promoting best practice, safety and safe forklift use, interpret legislation and publish technical guides and fact sheets for users.

Separately, Ellison says he has noticed some disappointing trends in forklift use over the past five years.
"Small companies now operate a single forklift. Often they don't have the management resources to fully understand their responsibilities for such equipment use.

"Further it is perhaps more tempting for them to allow an untrained person to operate the truck."

He adds that there is an increasing use of forklifts, including pallet trucks, around "unaware" customers.

"This includes some DIY stores and garden centres," he says, citing a customer killed in Southampton a couple of years ago.

HSE chief executive Geoffrey Podger has a warning for those who put their workforce at risk: "In the past year, we have approved 25% more prosecutions than the year before and our inspectors have served 1,000 more enforcement notices.

"No-one should believe that they can get away with serious breaches of health and safety."

Forklift Incidents ... the facts (from FLTA)

• This year, around eight UK workers will be killed by fork lift trucks.
• Over 400 employees a year suffer amputations, fractures or dislocations, or need resuscitation or stay in hospital following a forklift accident.
• Forklifts cause more serious injuries than any other kind of workplace transport.
• Over 1,200 people each year take three or more days sick leave after a forklift injury at work.