Alert 04 – 25 Fatal Accident Involving a Forklift
WHAT HAPPENED:
A storage rack weighing 3.8 tons was moved close to the welder’s workshop and placed on its side for repair. The move and placing it on its side was for ease of repair and to avoid blocking traffic. A number of workers, including the deceased, were standing between the storage rack and the workshop container. A roustabout took a forklift truck to get some gas cylinders, which were located close to the storage rack. While maneuvering, the forklift hit the rack, which toppled over. The rack struck the deceased as it fell causing injury to his abdomen and trapped his foot underneath. Despite prompt medical treatment and medevac by plane he died from internal hemorrhage 3 hours later.