Forklift Truck Accidents

Forklift trucks are widely used across the UK, and are particularly common in factories, warehouses and construction sites. While many will be operated safely and effectively, forklift truck accidents in the workplace sadly remain a frequent occurrence.

Regulations Regarding Forklift Trucks.

The statistics relating to forklift truck accidents have been a cause of concern over the past decade. Action was prompted in 2006, when the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed there had been 2,000 forklift trucks accidents that year alone, amongst which there were seven fatalities.

Two years later in 2008, the government published the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER), which governs the way in which forklift trucks are used in the workplace. The regulations state all lifting equipment used for work must be:-

* Strong and stable enough for the particular use and marked to indicated safe working loads;

* Positioned and installed to minimise any risks;

* Used safely, ie. the work is planned, organised and performed by competent people;

* Subject to on-going thorough examination and, where appropriate, inspection by competent people.

Employers have a legal duty to comply with these regulations. They must also be carried out in conjunction with the Health and Safety at Work Act which requires all employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all their employees. If an employer fails to adhere to these legal obligations, he/she will have breached their duty of care towards their staff, putting their employees at an increased risk of injury.

Forklift Truck Accident Claims.

If a member of staff does indeed suffer a forklift truck accident which was not their fault, he/she could be entitled to make a work accident claim. Most commonly, such a claim will arise because:-

* The driver did not receive sufficient training;

* The fork-lift truck was unsuitable or defective;

* Other equipment being used was unsuitable or defective;

* There was not a safe system of work in place;

* There was not a safe access route;

* Incompetence of other staff.

Injuries sustained due to forklift truck accidents are often serious in nature, sometimes leading to amputation and long-term damage. A work accident claim would ensure you receive compensation for the harm you have suffered, and will also help you to recover any finances you have lost as a result.

Contact Work Accident Solicitors.

To find out more about making a forklift truck accident claim, you need to speak to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.


Copyright (c) 2012 Julie Glynn