Worker Crushed Between Forklift & High Beam
On 7 July 2022, a worker was standing on the rear of a forklift to hang a cable on an overhead beam. However, the forklift suddenly moved backwards, resulting in the worker being crushed between the forklift and the beam. He died at the hospital.
Using the wrong equipment at work can result in serious injuries or even death. Forklifts should only be used to move goods on pallets. Forklifts are not meant for workers to gain access to higher work areas; use ladders or work platforms instead. Consider the following measures to prevent similar accidents:
• Safe work platform: Use a proper work platform for tasks requiring work at height.
• Safe Work Procedure: Develop a Safe Work Procedure (SWP) for the task. Communicate the SWP to workers and provide supervision to ensure the SWP is followed.
• Competent forklift operator: Allow only competent and authorised operators to operate forklifts. Ensure all forklift operators have completed the necessary certifications such as the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) Operate Forklift Course. Forklift operators should never allow workers to stand on the forks or at the rear of the forklift.
• Preventive maintenance: Forklift servicing and maintenance should be carried out regularly according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. This is to prevent sudden forklift failure which can create an unsafe situation.
• Safe worker behaviour: Implement a behavioural observation and intervention initiative at your workplace. Encourage workers to look out for one another and empower them to stop the work should they come across an unsafe behaviour.
For more information, please refer to WSH Council’s Code of Practice for Working Safely at Heights, WSH Guidelines on Safe Operation of Forklift Trucks and WSH Guide to Behavioural Observation and Intervention.
