WorkSafe Victoria is holding information sessions this month on a new series of forums for forklift operators and owners.

The February sessions will be at Wangaratta, Dandenong and Warrnambool, Victoria. Dates for sessions in Preston, Melbourne, Bendigo, Mulgrave, Ballarat, Mildura, Shepparton and Traralgon, Victoria, will be announced later.

Trevor Martin, WorkSafe’s manufacturing, logistics & agriculture program director, said WorkSafe had zero tolerance for breaches of safety laws as injuries from forklift incidents were frequently horrific.

"These are powerful, heavy machines and require skill and training to safely operate them.

"Where there are serious breaches of workplace health and safety law the penalties imposed by the courts are substantial, reflecting changing community attitudes," Martin said.

"Too often safe forklift practices are introduced after a death or serious injury – what we want is to get improvements introduced before tragedy strikes. With around 2,700 injuries reported to WorkSafe in the past five years, it’s time for forklift safety to receive extra attention in the workplace."

Bookings for the forklift safety forums can be made online at WorkSafe’s website or call Ausfork Pty Ltd on +61-3-9731 0456 or email enquiries@ausfork.com.au.

Details on information sessions for the seminars.