"death was the result of an accident involving a forklift"

 

Forklifts are common throughout our plants. The hazard associated with forklifts or any moveable equipment and pedestrians is acknowledged. Yet, horrific accidents still occur. Here is a recent incident emphasizing the importance of forklift and pedestrian safety.

 

Police in (town name omitted) have confirmed that one person was killed while on the job at a local industrial facility on day during the first week of June 2021.

 

A female worker, 61, died at the (aluminium plant) location on (address omitted). Police arrived at the facility just before 3:30 a.m. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s preliminary investigation determined that the victim had been in an accident involving a forklift. The local OSHA division is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the fatal accident. No further information will be released until a report is finalized, according to the agency.

We offer our sincere condolences to the deceased worker’s family, friends,.  and coworkers. A life cut short is tragic. But, when a life ends because of a workplace accident loved ones feel cheated or robbed. Their feelings of sadness can quickly turn to anger depending on the actions or inaction of the aluminium company.  When one speaks to an individual(s) who have lost a loved one or a friend in a workplace accident. You quickly realize their pain never ends. Overtime their pain may lessen but it is always present in their lives. Countless time individuals will tell the editors of this blog on how someone their cared about died in a workplace incident. Prior to responding we pray that our words may comfort those in pain. We explain to them that our sincere hope is that this tragedy, their pain. Will never occur again.

The news story lacks information other than the cause of death. The Aluminium Plant Safety Blog post 1-2 fatalities a year involving moveable equipment and pedestrian. Many plants have designated pedestrian walkways. In our experience incidents occur for a myriad of reasons. But most commonly a pedestrian walks into a moveable equipment pathway (moving forward or in reverse), or the moveable equipment operator does not see the pedestrian. On our plant visits we always talk to workers about the hazards associated with moveable equipment. Today more than ever individuals are distracted with their busy lives, busy work, electronic devices, etc. We tell workers that when they move around the workplace. They always have to be on guard for moveable equipment.

Light Metal Age magazine and Aluminium Times magazine had articles on this topic. The articles can be downloaded here.