Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Latest NewsHealth and safetyOccupational HealthWellbeing

Inadequate training escalates risk for fork-lift workers

by Personnel Today 28 Oct 2011
by Personnel Today 28 Oct 2011

More than 1.2 million UK workers could be at risk of a serious or even fatal accident because they have not been adequately trained to work near fork-lift trucks, according to new statistics.

The research, which was carried out by the Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA), was published to coincide with National Fork Lift Safety Week, which took place between 19 and 25 September 2011.

The association has estimated that every year between five and 10 UK workers are killed by fork-lift trucks, and around 400 people are hospitalised with major injuries, including amputations and crushing. More than 1,000 suffer accidents requiring at least three days’ recovery time, it said.

Through an analysis of figures from the Office for National Statistics and sector skills council Skills for Logistics, the FLTA calculated that one in 12 UK employees regularly worked near fork-lift trucks, yet fewer than half of them received the minimum recommended training.

Workers at risk included not only fork-lift truck operators but also van and heavy-goods-vehicle drivers, warehouse workers, managers and other colleagues in closely associated roles, warned the FLTA.

David Ellison, FLTA chief executive, said: “Even after recent safety improvements, fork-lift trucks account for more serious injuries than any other workplace transport.

“It’s essential that anyone working near such potentially dangerous equipment is properly trained.

“Around two-thirds of accident victims are colleagues on foot – and, of course, managers can’t protect employees unless they’ve also had the right training to spot and eliminate risks.”

Clear evidence of the scale of the problem emerged in September, with the opening of a court case over an accident that involved a fork-lift truck.

The prosecution of Lancashire firm Serviceplan Contracts by the Health and Safety Executive followed an accident in August 2010, when a worker fell from a fork-lift truck while attempting to carry out maintenance work and suffered severe head injuries.

The company was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay a further £1,000 in prosecution costs.

Avatar
Personnel Today

previous post
Investing in staff health can influence productivity levels
next post
Bullhorn continues impressive global expansion

You may also like

Gender pay gap ‘won’t close until 2151’

27 Jun 2022

Third of employees living ‘payday to payday’

27 Jun 2022

Lack of sick pay forcing two-thirds to work...

27 Jun 2022

Cost of living could lead to ‘pandemic sized’...

27 Jun 2022

PwC to award inflation-busting pay increase

27 Jun 2022

Thousands unable to access local stop-smoking support

27 Jun 2022

Barristers walk out in protest over fees

27 Jun 2022

Roe v Wade: US employers rally to support...

27 Jun 2022

Graduate salaries rise sharply as search for talent...

27 Jun 2022

Managers unsure how best to support cancer return...

24 Jun 2022

  • NSPCC revamps its learning strategy with child wellbeing at its heart PROMOTED | The NSPCC’s mission is to prevent abuse and neglect...Read more
  • Diversity versus inclusion: Why the difference matters PROMOTED | It’s possible for an environment to be diverse, but not inclusive...Read more
  • Five steps for organisations across the globe to become more skills-driven PROMOTED | The shift in the world of work has been felt across the globe...Read more
  • The future of workforce development PROMOTED | Northumbria University and partners share insight...Read more
  • Strathclyde Business School expands its Degree Apprenticeship offer in England PROMOTED | The University of Strathclyde is expanding its programmes...Read more
  • The Search for Talent: Six Major Employer Pitfalls PROMOTED | The Great Resignation continues unabated...Read more
  • Navigating the widening “Skills Confidence Gap” in 2022, and beyond PROMOTED | Cornerstone OnDemand conducted a global study...Read more
  • Apprenticeships are the solution to your recruitment problems PROMOTED | Apprenticeships have the pulling power...Read more

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2022

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2022 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today