WORKSAFE Victoria has urged companies using forklifts to get a copy of a new safety poster which graphically highlights the dangers of people working near the vehicles.
According to WorkSafe, it has made the call in response to a sudden rise in forklift-related deaths and injuries, including two fatalities since November 2009.
The authority says in recent months, two workers have died and another two have been seriously hurt. WorkSafe has also been notified of a number of near-misses involving loads falling from forklifts or people being struck by forklifts.
WorkSafe director Ross Pilkington says forklifts pose a danger to forklift operators, truck drivers and people working around them.
“In particular, there have been many incidents involving people helping direct a forklift driver, particularly during the loading and unloading of trucks. They have been hit by the forklift or had the forklift load fall on them,” Mr Pilkington said.
WorkSafe has produced two posters which it claims will keep forklift safety at front of mind. The posters have the tagline ‘forklifts and people don’t mix’ and messages including ‘helping out is not worth the risk’ and ‘don’t assume you will be seen’.
The posters can be ordered through the WorkSafe Advisory Service on 1800 136 089 or downloaded from worksafe.vic.gov.au/forklift.
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