Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report for Oklahoma: A 67-Year-Old Maintenance Worker for a Feed and Seed Retail Store was Killed when He was Crushed By a Forklift that Ran Off a Loading Dock and Overturned onto Him

摘要

A 67-year old maintenance worker died on February 28, 2000 from multiple crushing injuries received when he was pinned by a forklift that ran off a loading dock and overturned onto him. The victim was operating the forklift on a low-level loading dock that was not sloped. He dismounted the forklift to remove an empty pallet that was apparently jammed on the forks. He did not take the forklift out of gear, lower the forks, or set the hand brake before getting off it. As he attempted to remove the pallet, the forklift began to move in reverse, and the victim ran after it to try to prevent it from rolling off the dock. As the worker attempted to climb onto the vehicle, the rear left wheel rolled off the dock and the forklift overturned. The worker was crushed beneath the forklift's overhead guard. FACE investigators concluded that to prevent similar occurrences, employers should: (1) Develop and implement a written program that includes policies regarding the use and safe operation of forklifts. (2) Ensure that all employees receive at least some awareness training regarding the hazards of unfamiliar equipment, such as forklifts, and an understanding of the training and authorization requirements for operation of the equipment.