Step Down Safely: The Overlooked Risk of Forklift Egress
Forklifts are incredibly useful, and powerful, pieces of equipment. Forklift operator training is very important in order to use the equipment effectively and safely. One component of forklift use that is often overlooked, however, is safe forklift egress technique. While exiting a forklift isn't nearly as tall as, say, a semi-truck, injuries from forklift egress are a big deal. The National Safety Council has collected data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, and shows "Falls, slips and trips" as the fourth highest forklift related injuries that resulted in days away from work. In addition, the data shows that falls, slips and trips injuries have also been increasing over the last 10 years.
Forklift egress safety can be deceiving. A typical sized forklift seats the operator three to four feet off of the ground, and commonly has a step just a foot or two off of the ground. While the risk of chronic repetitive injury isn't as high as taller vehicles, improper forklift egress technique can still place several hundred pounds of unnecessary force on the operator's legs and joints each day. This can lead to ankle, knee and hip issues over the long term.
However, acute injuries due to slips and trips are an even bigger threat for operators. Since the forklift body can be relatively low to the ground, operators may not think to check what surface condition they are exiting onto. They may exit onto snow and ice (if outside), or onto a spill or loose debris if inside. If an operator exits out onto a slippery condition without using proper 3 points of control egress technique, there is nothing to help stabilize them and stop their fall. It is very important to maintain 3 points of control, and the operator should carefully lower themselves down from the forklift. That way, in case they realized they've stepped onto something slippery or unstable, they have time to recover their balance and stabilize themselves to prevent a fall.
Proper 3 points of contact egress technique is as follows:
- Make sure the vehicle is stopped, parked, and the motor is off
- Look down to where you intend to step when exiting the forklift
- Grab the available handle(s) for egress with both hands; if only a single handle is available identify a feature of the forklift body that will safely act as a handhold
- Face the vehicle body, and slowly step out onto the forklift steps
- Maintain 3 points of control at all times (do not remove a handhold while moving a foot!)
- Slowly lower down until both feet are stable and secure on the ground
Here is a short video describing the differences between improper, and proper forklift egress technique.
Remember, forklift safety must continue even after the vehicle has come to a stop! Be safe.
