HSE figures reveal a 4% increase in serious forklift accidents.

The Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) is warning that after two years of decline, forklift accidents are once again on the rise.

Latest figures from the Health & Safety Executive show a 4% increase in serious forklift accidents in 2010/11, following a two-year decline in accidents requiring hospitalisation, like amputations, dislocations and long-bone fractures.

The FLTA revealed this when it announced details for its 10th annual National Fork Lift Truck Conference this month. This year's event, sponsored by Toyota Material Handling UK, will be held at Warwick University in September and will focus on key issues affecting forklift safety in UK workplaces.

FLTA chairman Martyn Fletcher says the association has seen forklift safety improve significantly through its safety awareness campaigns, "which is why this increase should act as a reminder of the dangers of being complacent about forklift safety".

"Improving safety is an ongoing process. If everyone commits to not only maintaining but actually improving procedures and training, we can once again lower the number of avoidable accidents and fatalities in our industry," Fletcher says.

This year's conference, with the theme 'Practical solutions to everyday problems', will look at topics that include training, loading and unloading areas, speeding and the latest safety products.

"Full details of the line-up will be released shortly, but tickets are on sale now. Conference spaces always sell out fast, and we advise you to book early to avoid disappointment," Fletcher says.

The conference will be held in the Ramphal Building at Warwick University, on Wednesday, 26 September 2012.

Tickets for the event are priced at GBP85.00/USD132 (inc VAT) for members of the FLTA or its Safe User Group, and GBP115.00/USD179 (inc VAT) for non-members.