Hazard Alert: Pedestrian Workers Killed by Forklifts
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Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program Reports
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program and State FACE Programs study fatal workplace injuries and prepare reports with recommendations to prevent similar injuries. The following are links to all of the items in this collection:
Documents
- Kentucky FACE Report: Commercial Roofer Falls 30 Feet Through a Skylight While Installing Roof Insulation
- Fatal Occupational Injuries in Massachusetts 2008-2013
- Fatality Assessment & Control Evaluation (FACE) Program
- Washington FACE Report: Glazier Foreman Falls From Stepladder
- Preventing Construction Falls Toolkit
- Hazard Alert: Pedestrian Workers Killed by Forklifts
- Keep Employees in Motor Vehicles Safe
- New York FACE Brochure
- Washington FACE Report: Construction Laborer Falls When Ladder Breaks
- Washington FACE Report: Pipelayer Dies when Trench Wall Collapses
- Washington FACE Report: Carpenter Falls 60 Feet from Bridge Concrete Form
- Washington FACE Report: Foreman and Laborer Fall when Aerial Lift Struck by Vehicle
- Washington FACE Report: Framer Falls 18 Feet while Sheathing Roof
- New York FACE Report: Mechanic Electrocuted when a Mobile Light Tower Contacted Powerline
- New York FACE Report: Two Construction Workers Fatally Crushed when Cement Formwork Collapsed
- Kentucky FACE Report: Construction Laborer Killed in Trench Collapse while Taking Grade Measurements
- California FACE Report: A Heating, Ventilaton and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Contractor Dies when He Falls through a Skylight
- Massachusetts FACE Report: Carpenter Fatally Injured after Falling from an Extension Ladder
- Massachusetts FACE Report: Laborer Fatally Injured after Falling from a Home under Construction
- Oregon FACE Report: Worker Falls When Ladder Slips
- Michigan FACE Information Sheet: Look for Mobile Equipment Blind Spots
- Oregon FACE Report: Collapsed roof trusses kill carpenter foreman
- Washington FACE Report: Roofer Falls 19 Feet from Roof
- Hazard Alert: Plan. Provide. Train. Prevent Fall Injuries & Deaths
- Kentucky FACE Report: 19-Year-Old Construction Laborer Crushed in Trench Collapse While Laying Sewage Pipe
- Kentucky FACE Report: Construction Flagger Struck and Killed in Two-Lane Highway Work Zone
- Kentucky FACE Report:Temporary Electrician Helper Steps into Unguarded Elevator Shaft and Dies
- Fatality Narrative: Roofing Contractor Falls 25 Feet From Church Roof
- Kentucky FACE Report: Construction Siding Subcontractor Installer Killed when Oversized Scaffolding Platform Destabilized and Telescopic Forklift Overturned
- NIOSH FACE Report - Maintenance Worker Struck by Forklift Carriage—Tennessee
- Kentucky Hazard Alert: Roofing and Construction Workers Killed Due to High Winds
- Poster: Secure it to move it!
- Oregon FACE Report: Crane Operator Killed By Falling Steel Beam
- New Jersey FACE Report: Mechanic Dies After Being Crushed Under Electrical Cabinet
- New Jersey FACE Report: Plant Manager Crushed to Death Under Fallen Pile of Steel Beams
- NIOSH FACE Report: Hispanic worker falls from residential roof
- Oregon FACE Report: Construction worker died after falling 20-25 feet from a pump-jack scaffold
- FACE Fact Sheet: Prevent Construction Falls from Roofs, Ladders, and Scaffolds
- Construction Fatality Narrative: Roofer Falls 18 Feet from Wet House Roof
- Construction Worker Killed when Trench Collapsed, Oregon
- A Tree Trimmer is Electrocuted While Trimming a Palm Tree
- A Tree Feller Dies When Struck By a Tree Limb While Felling a Fire-Damaged Tree
- Concrete Finisher Electrocuted When Bull Float Contacted an Energized Power Line
- Warehouse Worker Crushed by Forks of Laser Guided Vehicle
Summary Statement
This Hazard Alert describes the danger of injury during forklift use and steps to reduce associated risks.
September 2017
What is the hazard?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that there are approximately 85 fatalities and 34,900 serious injuries due to forklift use annually1, and $135 million in immediate costs are incurred.2 Between the years 2015-2016, 4 pedestrian workers were killed in forklift-related incidents in Kentucky.
Examples of pedestrian– related forklift fatalities that occurred in Kentucky include:
Case 1: A 17-year-old employee (the victim) was riding on the side of a single-occupant rough-terrain forklift, driven by a 19-year-old coworker. Intending to open a nearby gate, the victim jumped from the forklift before it was fully stopped. The rear tire caught his foot, fatally rolling over his torso.
Case 2: A forklift operator was moving a load, while the victim, on foot, was standing next to a dumpster. The forklift accelerated in reverse, striking a door frame, and pinning the victim between the forklift and dumpster.
Case 3: The victim was working on the hydraulic system of a forklift, standing beneath the forks, when the carriage fell on him.
EMPLOYERS:
- Designate separate paths for pedestrian and forklift travel.
- Restrict pedestrian activity in forklift operating areas.
- Provide pedestrian safety training to all employees who may be exposed to forklifts and other vehicles.
- Ensure all forklift operators are trained and certified, per CFR 1910.178(l).
FORKLIFT OPERATORS:
- Limit travel speed.
- Slow down, stop, and sound horn when approaching a corner, intersection, or anywhere that vision may be obstructed.
- Never allow a passenger on the forklift unless the forklift is designed to accommodate passengers.
- Do not place any body parts beneath the load or mast.
PEDESTRIANS:
- Maintain a safe distance from forklifts.
- Always ensure the operator is aware of your position; make eye contact when possible.
- Exercise caution when walking near corners and intersections.
- Never enter pedestrianrestricted zones.
- Wear high-visibility clothing.
- Never walk under raised forks.
| Additional Resources | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resource | Description | Link |
Powered Industrial Trucks (Forklift) - Inspections—eTool Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
29 CFR 1910.178(g)(7) requires that all forklifts be inspected daily before being operated. This OSHA eTool provides requirements and best practices for such an inspection. | https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/ pit/operations/ servicing.html#preoperation |
Case Report: Teen Laborer Rides on Side of Forklift, Falls While Jumping, and is Run Over by Rear Tire KY FACE Program |
Full occupational fatality investigation report for Case 1. | http://www.mc.uky.edu/kiprc/face/ reports/pdf/15KY067.pdf |
Preventing Injuries and Deaths of Workers Who Operate or Work Near Forklifts National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health |
Safety resource provided by NIOSH addressing forklift pedestrian and driver safety. | https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ docs/2001-109/default.html |
Forklift Toolbox Talk Center for Construction Research and Training |
A toolbox talk worksheet to provide to employees. | https://www.cpwr.com/sites/default/ files/publications/ CPWR_Forklift_0.pdf |
HAZ-1802
FACE Program, September 2017
Contact FACE:
Kentucky FACE Program
333 Waller Avenue Suite 242
Lexington, KY 40504
Toll Free: 800-204-3223 | Local: 859-257-5839
Email: kyfaceprogram@uky.edu
Website: http://www.mc.uky.edu/kiprc/face/index.html
Acknowledgements:
Produced by the Kentucky Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program, Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center (KIPRC), a bona fide agent for the Kentucky Department for Public Health.
This project was funded by grant 2U60OH008483-13 from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
References:
1Proposed Rules—Powered Industrial Truck Operator Training. OSHA.
2Towards Improved Forklift Safety. National Institute of Standards and Technology.
FACE on Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/kentuckycom
