Issue Date:  -  Wednesday, 19 July 2006

Fine over forklift operator with no proof of competency

WorkSafe has warned businesses with forklifts that operators must be properly trained after a Forrestfield company was fined $500 in the Midland Magistrate’s Court last week.

KGB Welders Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that one of its forklift operators, Mr Kenneth Crowder – also a director and co-owner of the company – had documentary evidence of competency as a lift truck (forklift) operator.

In May 2004, Mr Crowder was using a forklift to move several bundles of lengths of steel when the strapping holding the steel together came undone, and it fell onto a 24-year-old employee.

He suffered a broken right foot and other leg injuries, as well as bruises and abrasions to his chest.

An investigation into the incident revealed that, despite having operated forklifts for some 35 years, Mr Crowder did not have any current evidence of competency to operate the forklift, as required by WA’s safety laws.

WorkSafe Acting Director Operations Joe Attard said today that the case illustrated the need to have documentary evidence of competency for anyone who operated a forklift.

“WA’s Occupational Safety and Health Regulations require anyone who wishes to operate a forklift to be able to prove that they have satisfied the competency requirements of the relevant national guidelines,” Mr Attard said.

“There are very good reasons for requiring training to operate forklifts – they are hazardous vehicles that require an amount of expertise to operate.

“Our statistics show that forklifts are involved in around 170 injuries every year in WA.  In addition, 12 WA workers have died over the past 17 years in workplace incidents involving forklifts.

“We recently completed an investigation into the death of a man in Geraldton early this year who fell off the tines of a forklift when he was being lifted onto the back of a truck, and the inspector who conducted the investigation reported that unsafe work practices with forklifts were still widespread in business.

“There are many safety issues associated with the use of forklifts, and it is worth reminding anyone in a workplace with forklifts to be aware of all the safe work practices that need to be in place.”

Safe work practices that need to be in place include:
Using the forklift on a hard level surface without potholes to improve stability;
Pointing the tines upwards when traveling with a load on a ramp;
Ensuring the forklift is never turned sideways on a ramp;
Ensuring forklifts are driven at low speed;
Ensuring that forklift operators are qualified and old enough to operate the vehicle; and
Ensuring that proper restraints are fitted and used, and that a fall-on protection structure is fitted.

“Safety issues concerning forklifts are well covered in guidance material in WA, including the guidance note Working Safely with Forklifts and the code of practice The Prevention of Falls at Workplaces,” Mr Attard said.

“Forklifts are inherently hazardous vehicles – particularly in terms of stability – and I strongly urge everyone in the workplace to take every precaution around them and to ensure that anyone who operates one is properly trained and qualified to do so.”

Further information on forklift safety and copies of the guidance material can be obtained by telephoning WorkSafe on 9328 8777, or on the website at www.worksafe.wa.gov.au.

Media contact:
Caroline De Vaney
9327 8744
0408 927563 (media enquiries only).