Forklift truck overturns and preventing overturning of forklift trucks

Forklift trucks are widely used in industrial and warehousing operations and are extremely useful. They can also be dangerous, causing injuries and property damage through collisions and overturning. One type of forklift safety issue is the leading cause of forklift-related deaths: overturns.

Causes of forklift truck overturns

There are four main causes of forklift truck overturns:

• Turning, stopping or pushing the accelerator pedal too quickly.
• Driving or manoeuvring on an incline.
• An unbalanced load, driving with a load too high or a load too heavy for the equipment.
• Uneven surfaces and wet surfaces.

Some simple steps to prevent forklift truck overturns

• Restrict the use of forklift trucks to trained and authorised drivers
• Operate the equipment within the safe operating parameters (such as weight and load centre)
• Follow the speed guidelines from the employer or the vehicle manufacturer
• Don’t raise or lower the load while you’re moving
• Don’t stop suddenly
• Take care with turns
• When moving up or down a slope, go slowly and only move straight up or down, do not drive at an angle.
• Keep the load low to the ground. Only raise the load as much as you need to clear the floor surface.

Minimising the risks of injury to drivers during forklift truck overturns

• Ensure that a suitable lap strap (seat belt) is fitted
• Encourage drivers to stay in the operator’s (driver’s) compartment if something falls or the forklift overturns.