Rank: Forum user 
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Hi all one of our warehouses had a bit of an incident yesterday. The driver of a FLT was driving too fast (not sure how fast but the witness statements suggest this) and he went off the edge of the loading bay and dropped 6 ft to the ground with the FLT - luckily, he is agile and was able to jump free therefore avoiding serious injury - he just received a grazed elbow. We have carried out the investigation, taken statements, recorded the incident by photo, interviewed everyone concerned and HR have suspended him whilst investigation. It has been reported to RIDDOR as a Dangerous Occurrence as it involves tipping of FLT. We have all thepaperwork, training, refreshers, documentation, risk assessments, records and everything in place - it seems likely to be the fault of the driver in this instance. Can you think of any concerns we may be up against in the event of a visit?? any advice appreciated.
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Rank: New forum user
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Hi.. With my shop steward hat on, I'm wondering what 'too fast' is? Is 'too fast' the norm? Any previous 'too fast' events for this or other employees and what action taken? What is the level of supervision?
Best regards Andy
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Rank: Forum user
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Maintenance of FLT's including thorough examinations & cleaning schedules of the floor area in question? They might also want to talk to other FLT operators as to find out about the culture with regards to FLT safety.
If you have good records and everything is in place. I would be looking to discipline severely the individual, perhaps even dismiss (depending on investigation of the incident).
A question that springs to mind is. why was the loading bay opened if there wasn't a vehicle in place?
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Rank: New forum user
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Hmm.. sack the guy? yet we do learn from our experiences, this guy will probably be the least likely to break procedures again. While he is still in the workplace he will also act as reminder to the rest of the workforce of what can happen when procs are broken. Ask him to be a safety rep..
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Quote: luckily, he is agile and was able to jump free therefore avoiding serious injury //
How lucky? As I read this he jumped from the cab. A cab that he should have been seat belted in to. The belt is to keep the operator inside the safety cage. I don't have the stats but during training and refreshers we are taught that 'many' very serious injuries and fatalities have occurred when operators were crushed by cabs as they tried to get off a falling or tipping FLT.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Have U got proof that managers undertake compliance monitoring activities that indicate that they are managing their staff on a day to day basis e.g. proof that speed, driving style, PPE, seat belts, edge protection etc. etc. are all OK - If not [and I doubt it] then you have left yourself open -
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Rank: Super forum user
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Daisy - there is never one reason alone for any accident and a thorough investigation of this matter should establish the facts - as I'm sure you are fully aware this should be undertaken promptly so you are on the front foot for the investigation from the LA which may indeed follow.
Given the circumstances you have provided for us with speed being discussed but is there a procedure to keep fleet away from an empty bay? What are the controls around this bay when not in use? (I'm presuming this as the FLT has fallen).
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Rank: Forum user
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DP wrote:Daisy - there is never one reason alone for any accident and a thorough investigation of this matter should establish the facts - as I'm sure you are fully aware this should be undertaken promptly so you are on the front foot for the investigation from the LA which may indeed follow.
Given the circumstances you have provided for us with speed being discussed but is there a procedure to keep fleet away from an empty bay? What are the controls around this bay when not in use? (I'm presuming this as the FLT has fallen).
Hi DP yes the FLT fell over the side, we are looking at why the bay was open as also posted above, I too questioned the fact that didnt have seat belt on - in this case was lucky but could have been the opposite.
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Rank: Forum user
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All points taken on board, some we hadnt thought of so thanks again all but keep them coming if you think of anything else. We are carrying out thorough investigation alredy have witness statement, photo/s FLT refresher (which he had 3 months ago). The main thing from the points raised here are why was the bay open, what procedures for keeping the FLT away from open bays (if the case) and manager supervision. thanks again - think I am going to have a busy time ....
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Rank: Super forum user
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I too thought about the safety restraint....and how lucky he was to be able to get it off quickly enough [/sarc]
But then....I look at the local distribution centres near me and note that few of the lift-truck drivers are using the restraints.
I look at the large reclaimables site (large international s/mart) near me and note that few lift-truck drivers loading trailers with bales of c/board are wearing the restraints...
And the very large construction site [housing] where none of the dump-truck drivers (site AND public highway) are wearing the provided restraints. In fact that same construction site was the page-two story on a local rag not long ago with a photograph of a worker standing on a telescopic lift-truck forks manhandling a lintel into a window....no fall restrict..
You can lead a horse to water.........................
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Rank: Super forum user
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Unlikely to investigate IMO but possible. Ex-inspector hat on...
Why was there an open edge for the FLT to fall from. This would seem to be a primary cause and possibly a management issue not a FLT driver issue.
Why was he not wearing a seat belt - I would say he was lucky not to have been hurt trying to jump clear, that is precisely the reason that seat belts are required. I've investigated a fatality in such circumstances. However, before just blaming him look at the management issues that could stem from that. If he wasn't wearing a seat belt is that common practice amongst all the FLT drivers or just him. If common practice did management / supervisors know and ignore?
Was he speeding or is he just disliked by other memebers of staff who have subsequently accused him of speeding. If he was speeding is that common practice for him. Is that common practice for other drivers too. As above is there a management issue where supervisors have accepted speeding from this driver or all drivers.
I can only go on what you've put in your post so can only make assumptions but are you just looking at the driver or at managemnt issues too? That is usually peopel'e biggest failing in looking at accident investigation. If there is a management failing (eg, failing to enforce company rules on speed, seat belts etc) then you need to identify them. Rather that than the HSE identify them for you.
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Rank: Forum user
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Clairel wrote:Unlikely to investigate IMO but possible. Ex-inspector hat on...
Why was there an open edge for the FLT to fall from. This would seem to be a primary cause and possibly a management issue not a FLT driver issue.
Why was he not wearing a seat belt - I would say he was lucky not to have been hurt trying to jump clear, that is precisely the reason that seat belts are required. I've investigated a fatality in such circumstances. However, before just blaming him look at the management issues that could stem from that. If he wasn't wearing a seat belt is that common practice amongst all the FLT drivers or just him. If common practice did management / supervisors know and ignore?
Hi claire - we are looking at the whole picture not just the driver - it does look like both sides are at fault. thanks v much for your input - v helpful
Was he speeding or is he just disliked by other memebers of staff who have subsequently accused him of speeding. If he was speeding is that common practice for him. Is that common practice for other drivers too. As above is there a management issue where supervisors have accepted speeding from this driver or all drivers.
I can only go on what you've put in your post so can only make assumptions but are you just looking at the driver or at managemnt issues too? That is usually peopel'e biggest failing in looking at accident investigation. If there is a management failing (eg, failing to enforce company rules on speed, seat belts etc) then you need to identify them. Rather that than the HSE identify them for you.
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Rank: Forum user
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DaisyMaisy wrote:Clairel wrote:Unlikely to investigate IMO but possible. Ex-inspector hat on...
Why was there an open edge for the FLT to fall from. This would seem to be a primary cause and possibly a management issue not a FLT driver issue.
Why was he not wearing a seat belt - I would say he was lucky not to have been hurt trying to jump clear, that is precisely the reason that seat belts are required. I've investigated a fatality in such circumstances. However, before just blaming him look at the management issues that could stem from that. If he wasn't wearing a seat belt is that common practice amongst all the FLT drivers or just him. If common practice did management / supervisors know and ignore?
Hi claire - we are looking at the whole picture not just the driver - it does look like both sides are at fault. thanks v much for your input - v helpful
Was he speeding or is he just disliked by other memebers of staff who have subsequently accused him of speeding. If he was speeding is that common practice for him. Is that common practice for other drivers too. As above is there a management issue where supervisors have accepted speeding from this driver or all drivers.
I can only go on what you've put in your post so can only make assumptions but are you just looking at the driver or at managemnt issues too? That is usually peopel'e biggest failing in looking at accident investigation. If there is a management failing (eg, failing to enforce company rules on speed, seat belts etc) then you need to identify them. Rather that than the HSE identify them for you.
Hi claire - we are looking at all areas - seems management./supervisors and the driver are all at fault one way or another but still looking at the investigation summary. thanks for your input - v helpful
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Hi DaisyMaisy,
Its very good practice to investigate the incident fully and find out what faults/actions led to the incident. However if the issue is investigated the questions you are likely to be asked is what have you done about this reoccuring. It is the control measures which are important. Don't get me wrong those who failed their responsibilities (if any) should be held accountable. Thankfully nobody was seriously hurt and the experience you will have gained from this incident will stand to you forever. Been there!
Kevkel
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks KevKel. Risk assessment is being reviewed and findings from this experience will be added. Would it be too much to ask for you to PM me with your experience and the outcome?
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Rank: New forum user
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Hi.. Just a quick point on seat belts on FLTs. I know an FLT driver who was saved by not wearing a belt when his truck fell into a river.
Andy
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Rank: Super forum user
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andygale wrote:Hi.. Just a quick point on seat belts on FLTs. I know an FLT driver who was saved by not wearing a belt when his truck fell into a river.
Andy
Presumably his training omitted the knowledge that lift trucks don't float ?
And how many have been killed or maimed by failing to wear a seatbelt ?
Point-out to me the lift truck training course that doesn't feature seat belt wearing ?
And what is the number one cause of driver death in lift trucks ?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Daisy
Who does your truck servicing? Our trucks our limited to 7kph (which is done by the servicing engineer at our request). The engineer should be able to tell you what speed the truck is limited to and going forward as a possible action (if not already in place) limit the trucks to what speed they can do.
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