Contact Us 0800 298 8790

The right lift
for your business

Supplying forklifts since 1976

What we do

Since 1976 H&F Trucks have provided local business with high quality materials handling solutions. For nearly four decades we have achieved steady growth year on year, enabling us to provide superior service to our customers from a stable & sustainable business platform.

How to Prevent Forklift Accidents

In today’s fast paced industrial warehouse environments, with complex machinery, traffic, and the constant goal to maximise productivity, the risk of injury and accidents can be great.

Unfortunately, there are many things that can go wrong when operating a forklift truck in any workplace. Forklift accidents can become more common, especially when there’s a lack of adequate planning and training programs. A failure to maintain the machines, coupled with careless operators and improper tools and attachments can all potentially lead to serious injury.

By having the right safety measure in place, forklift accidents such as tip-overs, and pedestrian collisions can be avoided. We wanted to go through how to prevent forklift accidents by following a few simple steps…

Protecting pedestrians and workers

It’s important to remember that forklift operators are responsible for looking out for and avoiding pedestrians, as they always have the right of way. Not matter how experienced the forklift truck operator is, a lack of awareness from the pedestrians and workers, combined with poor visibility and other factors can still result in a bad accident.

Operators should always be looking in the direction the forklift is moving and make themselves known at blind spots. They need to always assume that workers and pedestrians are not paying attention, even when markings and warning signs are used in the workplace. Keep non-operators away from the forklift, even when it’s stationary, and do not let people walk beneath raised forks at any time.

Things like blue safety lights, safety mirrors on aisle corners, better lighting, bright coloured guardrails and barriers, and other approved safety products can all make the forklift accidents a rarity.

Take steps to tackle truck tip-overs

Tip-overs are the most common accident for forklifts and can often result in serious injury or even be fatal. It’s hugely important that any operators are always fully trained on how to avoid a tip-over accident with a forklift, and also on how to avoid injury or death should a tip-over occur.

When this type of accident occurs the forklift operator will be tempted to try and jump from the truck, however this is the action that can often lead to injuries. Often through instinct the operator will jump the wrong way and the forklift, which can weigh several tons, can land on them and break bones or worse.

The best ways to prevent a tip-over and minimise injury include:

  • Slowing down the forklift whenever turning a corner and maintaining the reduced speed throughout the turn.
  • Lowering the forks and tilting them back for better stability when carrying a load.
  • Never overloading the truck and removing unstable loads.
  • Using a seatbelt as this will prevent the operator from being thrown from the forklift.
  • Staying in the seat, grasping the wheel, bracing feet and leaning away from the point of impact.
  • Avoiding wet and slippery surfaces, or slowing down significantly when driving over them.

Make sure all operators are professionally trained

It sounds obvious but forklift accidents often occur because the operators lack the correct certification and training to actually operate the trucks properly. Forklifts have the potential to be extremely dangerous machines when operated incorrectly, but with proper training in place many accidents will be prevented.

Training should always include, formal instructions, demonstrations, exercises, and an evaluation of the employee operating the forklift at the workplace. Even after operators have completed formal training, their performance should always be regularly monitored to make sure any forklifts are being used safely, especially when they start to use new models as this will require recertification.

Are you looking for a new or used forklift? Contact H&F Lift Trucks today for more information, on 0800 298 8790.

Advantages of Using an Electric Counterbalance Forklift
What Exactly is a Reach Truck?
The new kid on the block - the GO6 Series
17 - Sep - 2011

The new kid on the block - the GO6 Series

Nissan Forklift Corp. has recently added the GO6 Series to its range of transportation and forklift vehicles, with this model...
How To Select A Forklift Trucks
20 - Jan - 2012

How To Select A Forklift Trucks

There are many aspects to consider before buying a new forklift truck. The first is the capacity: You need to...
Benefits of The Electronic Forklift
20 - Jan - 2012

Benefits of The Electronic Forklift

Forklifts can be powered by fuel or electricity and electrically powered forklifts have certain advantages over others. For example, they...
Testimonials

H&F have supplied us with all our fork lift equipment for in excess of ten years now, and have maintained it in accordance with our stringent operation requirements. During this time they have provided a consistently high level of service (including short term hire when required) whilst never failing to support us in a totally honest and professional manner.

Ashley Basset, Director
R G Bassett & Sons Ltd

H&F Lift Trucks are a pleasure to deal with. All staff, Technicians, Sales and Directors have hands-on experience of all ranges of vehicles they supply. From initial assessments and listening to all users of a potential new vehicle requirement, they keep us informed of all aspects of specification and lead times through to delivery. Their maintenance service is superb – they organise suitable times around our busy working day with our Yard Managers. Any accidental damage or operator error faults are always discussed with me and dealt with fairly – not like some unscrupulous suppliers who seek to profit at every service visit! In a cut-throat market, where we are offered “good deals” a few quid cheaper every day, we are never tempted to stray.

James Hipkins, Managing Director
Emerys

Pym and Wildsmith have been working closely with H&F Fork Trucks for many years. Their service is excellent, ranging from prompt callouts to breakdowns through to the supply of new trucks. We would not hesitate to recommend them.

Ian Pym, Operations Manager
Pym & Wildsmith

We cover a 30 mile radius