FORKLIFT ROLL OVER Driver Dies THE INCIDENT A driver was fatally injured when his 2.5 ton capacity forklift rolled over on a public road next to a construction site. The fork-lift had been unloading bricks and was returning to the trailer used to transport it between sites. The driver made a sharp turn approaching the trailer ramp, and the forklift rolled over. The driver attempted to jump clear but was crushed beneath the forklift. The fork arms were raised 2.4 meters and were not carrying a load. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS 1. The forklift was turning sharply. 2. The driver attempted to jump clear during roll over. 3. The driver was not adequately supervised or trained for forklift operation. 4. No seat belt or seat side restraints were fitted. 5. The forklift was moving with the fork arms raised. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Forklift operators should be trained. 2. Agreed safe systems of work must be used to ensure employees are not exposed to workplace hazards. Training operators to a high skill level will not result in safe forklift operation if unsafe systems of work are allowed in the workplace. 3. Forklifts must be driven slowly and carefully when making sharp turns, particularly when unloaded. Forklifts have a very tight turning circle. They will roll over - even at low speeds if turned too sharply. 4. A seat belt and seat side restraints that support the top half of the body and waist are required to contain the operator within the fork-lift so that they cannot jump or be thrown from an overturning forklift. 5. During a forklift roll over, operators should not attempt to jump clear - they should brace themselves and stay in the forklift. 6. An operator's manual must be available with every forklift, including hire forklifts, clearly indicating all operational restrictions such as operating speed (including cornering) for all configurations. 7. Fork-lifts should unload vehicles on public roads only from the curb side, unless traffic control measures are used to keep traffic out of forklift operating areas.