North Carolina Digital Collections

              Forklift Fatality
This forklift has several safety features, including an overhead
guard.. Employers must ensure that forklift operators are
trained to operate them safely.
What programs does the Department of Labor have in place to prevent forklift accidents?
Free training: Workshops, training and consultation in both English and Spanish.
Publications: An industry guide that discusses forklift operator training and the safe operation of
powered industrial trucks.
Investigation Process
What triggers a fatality or catastrophe investigation by
the N.C. Department of Labor?
• A worker’s death.
• Hospitalization of three or more employees.
• The department may also receive information of a
fatality or catastrophe from media reports or referrals
from other government agencies.
How is NCDOL notified?
• An employer must notify NCDOL within eight hours
of a worker’s fatality or the hospitalization of three
or more workers.
What will the investigation focus on?
• The investigation will usually be limited to the
events surrounding the accident unless observations
at the site indicate a broader investigation is needed.
What will happen during the investigation?
• An NCDOL investigator will go to the accident site
and collect physical evidence, including photographs.
• The investigator will interview employees, witnesses
and management officials about the accident to
determine its cause.
• Any violations of safety and health standards will be
noted and citations will be issued.
How long will the investigation take?
• An investigation can take anywhere from a few
weeks to six months, depending on the complexity
of the accident.
When are investigation results disclosed?
• Citations and penalties, if issued, can be released to
the public on the issuance date.
• Other contents of the file cannot be released until the
case is closed or final order on citations is rendered.
The Investigation
Investigators will seek to determine several factors,
including whether:
• Aisles were designated as travel paths for forklifts.
• Vehicles were operated at a safe speed.
• Only authorized personnel operated and maintained
forklifts.
• Employees avoided standing under raised forks.
• Dockboard and trailer were secured while loading
and unloading.
• Operators were trained in safe vehicle operation.
• Vehicles were parked with the forks lowered and
brakes set.
• Carbon monoxide produced by forklifts was moni-tored.
• Operators wore seat belts while operating a forklift.
Cherie Berry, Commissioner
N.C. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Division
1101 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1101
www.nclabor.com
1-800-625-2267
Standards: 29 CFR 1910.178, Powered Industrial
Trucks
Industry Type: General Industry
Accident Type: Powered industrial truck accident
Statistical Data: In 2005, NCDOL investigated 80 work-place
fatalities.

Title	Forklift fatality
Contributor	North Carolina. Occupational Safety and Health Division.
Subjects	Forklift trucks--Accidents--Investigation--North Carolina Forklift trucks--Safety measures Industrial accidents--Investigation--North Carolina
Place	North Carolina, United States
Description	Title from caption (viewed on October 10, 2012).
Publisher	N.C. Dept. of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Division
Agency-Current	North Carolina Department of Labor
Rights	State Document see http://digital.ncdcr.gov/u?/p249901coll22,63754
Physical Characteristics	1 p. of electronic text : digital, PDF file
Collection	North Carolina State Documents Collection. State Library of North Carolina
Type	Text
Language	English
Format	Informational pamphlets
Digital Characteristics-A	109 KB; 1 p.
Series	NCDOL investigates.
Digital Collection	North Carolina Digital State Documents Collection
Digital Format	application/pdf
Related Items	http://worldcat.org/oclc/812460958/viewonline
Audience	All
Pres File Name-M	pubs_ncdolinvestigatesforklift2006.pdf
Pres Local File Path-M	\Preservation_content\StatePubs\pubs_borndigital\images_master\
Full Text	Forklift Fatality This forklift has several safety features, including an overhead guard.. Employers must ensure that forklift operators are trained to operate them safely. What programs does the Department of Labor have in place to prevent forklift accidents? Free training: Workshops, training and consultation in both English and Spanish. Publications: An industry guide that discusses forklift operator training and the safe operation of powered industrial trucks. Investigation Process What triggers a fatality or catastrophe investigation by the N.C. Department of Labor? • A worker’s death. • Hospitalization of three or more employees. • The department may also receive information of a fatality or catastrophe from media reports or referrals from other government agencies. How is NCDOL notified? • An employer must notify NCDOL within eight hours of a worker’s fatality or the hospitalization of three or more workers. What will the investigation focus on? • The investigation will usually be limited to the events surrounding the accident unless observations at the site indicate a broader investigation is needed. What will happen during the investigation? • An NCDOL investigator will go to the accident site and collect physical evidence, including photographs. • The investigator will interview employees, witnesses and management officials about the accident to determine its cause. • Any violations of safety and health standards will be noted and citations will be issued. How long will the investigation take? • An investigation can take anywhere from a few weeks to six months, depending on the complexity of the accident. When are investigation results disclosed? • Citations and penalties, if issued, can be released to the public on the issuance date. • Other contents of the file cannot be released until the case is closed or final order on citations is rendered. The Investigation Investigators will seek to determine several factors, including whether: • Aisles were designated as travel paths for forklifts. • Vehicles were operated at a safe speed. • Only authorized personnel operated and maintained forklifts. • Employees avoided standing under raised forks. • Dockboard and trailer were secured while loading and unloading. • Operators were trained in safe vehicle operation. • Vehicles were parked with the forks lowered and brakes set. • Carbon monoxide produced by forklifts was moni-tored. • Operators wore seat belts while operating a forklift. Cherie Berry, Commissioner N.C. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Division 1101 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1101 www.nclabor.com 1-800-625-2267 Standards: 29 CFR 1910.178, Powered Industrial Trucks Industry Type: General Industry Accident Type: Powered industrial truck accident Statistical Data: In 2005, NCDOL investigated 80 work-place fatalities.
OCLC number	812460958

North Carolina Digital Collections

Forklift fatality

Description