Many questions, no answers in death of young worker crushed by forklift - Journal of Commerce, Canada
According to McGowan, Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Code is too quiet on the matter. The only two provisions require a legible load rating chart and that if the lift has seat belts, the belts must be used and be maintained in good condition.
“Because our code says nothing about forklifts, employers do very little to ensure they are used safely,” he said. “There is inadequate training on what should and should not be done and the result, unfortunately, are accidents.”
McGowan said forklifts are a regular and particularly problematic safety problem in workplaces.
“There needs to be regulations about forklifts in particular, because the accident rate is so high. Every year there are dozens of accidents that involve the improper use of a forklift,” he said.
“These are dangerous pieces of equipment and nobody should get behind the wheel without proper training in safety and forklift operation.”