skull crushed against wall by forklift...

The use of forklifts in our industry is commonplace. On occasion there are items that are large and prevent the operator from seeing what is in front during movement. In most plants when this circumstance occurs, the forklift operator is required to travel in reverse as they can then see what is in front of them. Unfortunately, some plants do not have the requirement of driving in reverse. Here is a recent fatal incident.

The man was pinned against the warehouse wall and sustained a crushed skull. The coworker operating the forklift stated he did not see him.

A 56-year-old man died at an aluminum smelting factory in the neighborhood of (location omitted), during the early hours of Thursday (September 3), around 2:00 AM. The victim was pinned against a warehouse wall by a forklift and suffered a crushed skull. A 52-year-old coworker operating the vehicle was taken to the on-duty police station to provide a statement.

According to the forklift operator, he was using the machinery to move a large metal box to collect fallen bundles of scrap aluminum. The bulky box obstructed his forward vision, preventing him from seeing his coworker. The coworker was pinned against the wall, and emergency medical personnel from (local ems) confirmed his death at the scene.

Military police officers responding to the incident spoke with another worker who was nearby. However, this witness stated that the metal box also blocked his own line of sight, meaning he could not clarify the exact dynamics or the precise moment of the accident.

While at the facility, police interviewed other employees on duty. According to their statements, relations between the involved workers were peaceful and free of any animosity.

Forensic investigators and the coroner's vehicle were dispatched to the factory. The victim's body was transferred to the (medical facility) for an autopsy. The forklift operator was taken to the central police station to be questioned. After posting bail, he was released and remains under investigation.

The Civil Police of (location omitted) will spearhead the investigation into the incident.

We offer our sincere condolences to the deceased worker’s family, friends, and coworkers. The news media articles state the worker was struck and killed by a forklift that was carrying a large scrap box.

This incident may have been prevented if the forklift was traveling in reverse so the operator’s vision would not have been blocked.

Sadly, we know of similar fatal incidents. In each incident the workplace had a policy that the vehicle MUST travel in reverse when hauling scrap boxes. It is unknown what policy this workplace had or had not. We will reach out to our contacts