One critical consideration in the workplace is the use of motorized vehicles to move products or conduct any other types of core operations. These vehicles often require specific training for the employees who operate them. They have the ability to cause a variety of serious accidents that can lead to major injuries or even death, including collisions with other equipment or individuals or situations where cargo falls from above.
To help minimize risk, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) demonstrates some of the issues with these vehicles and workers. Regulators typically look at how these types of powered equipment present risks and what can be done to keep everyone safer at work.
What Do Powered Trucks and Forklifts Do?
As OSHA points out, these vehicles are often primarily used to move products or materials within a warehouse or other space. They often move objects vertically and horizontally to put them in a specific destination, such as in horizontal or raised storage, onto a truck or onto a warehouse floor. Some of these vehicles are driven from the driver’s seat while on others, the operator rides on the back. Some are even controlled by a walking operator.
Safety Issues with Forklifts and Powered Trucks
OSHA also evaluates the safety hazards of each type of vehicle. Certain kinds of high-rise forklifts which are often driven from the driver’s seat can experience weight imbalances that can cause them to flip over or crash. High-powered industrial trucks can cause collisions or fall off of an uneven surface. In addressing these issues, workplace managers should integrate specific components into training to make sure that operators know how to control their vehicles to avoid accidents.
Safety Protocols
OSHA recommends that operators of forklifts and industrial trucks pass certain training courses to demonstrate their knowledge and commitment to safety on the job. The regulator also points out that federal law prevents minors under 18 years of age from driving these types of vehicles.
Evaluating Forklift and Industrial Truck Accidents
When injury lawyers are called on to represent clients in a work accident case, they will look at the ways in which any of these vehicles were operated at the scene. They will assess the training and qualifications of operators, as well as the conditions on the ground where the vehicles were operated.
For instance, attorneys will look at whether any obstacles presented risks due to sight distance or whether insufficiently wide halls or spaces made operation hazardous. These lawyers do all of this to benefit the best interests of their client in order to help an injury victim get the best chance of compensation for costs including medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Get Legal Help From New York City Wrongful Death Attorneys
If you or someone you love was injured or killed in a New York City work accident, call the New York personal injury lawyers at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff. Our experienced attorneys can help with the process of bringing personal injury and wrongful death claims through New York courts. Let us help your family get justice.
