Forklifts are powered industrial trucks that are widely used in construction jobs because they achieve tasks that no one worker can do by himself. These vehicles save contractors and construction companies a lot of labor and man-hours. But when a forklift is used without proper care and caution, it could cause injuries to the operator or other workers and sometimes lead to tragic deaths.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimates that thousands of workers die each year in the United States as a result of forklift accidents – be it in construction accidents or in an industrial or factory setting. Some of the most common ways by which these accidents occur include when workers are run over by a passing lift truck; when forklift operators fall off their truck and are crushed or run over by it; or in back-up accidents when the operator fails to spot another worker on the site or on a loading dock.
These types of accidents often result in deaths because of the sheer weight of the equipment. The most common cause of forklift accidents remains the negligence of employees. Many victims in forklift accidents would still be alive had their employers provided them with the required training and supervision necessary in a properly run work-site.
According to OSHA, an estimated one million powered industrial trucks are used in workplaces across the country. The training standard for forklifts makes it mandatory for employers to ensure that each forklift operator is competent to run such a truck safely and completes a training program and evaluation successfully. Adhering to these safety standards can not only save employers $135 million in costs associated with forklift accidents, but more importantly saves lives and prevent catastrophic injuries.
Many New York forklift accidents occur because of overloading. Often times, employers are eager to increase efficiency and encourage workers to pile on excess loads. But this is not a safe practice and can cause a forklift to tip over. In some other cases, workers are crushed when forklifts are overloaded and heavy materials fall as a result. In fact, about 25 percent of forklift accidents occur because the lifts tip over. Defective machines or mechanical malfunctions because of improper maintenance can also sometimes lead to accidents.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a forklift or construction accident, you need an experienced New York personal injury attorney fighting for your rights. You may be entitled to compensation and damages, especially if you were injured by someone else’s negligence or if your employer failed to provide adequate training. Call Wingate, Russotti and Shapiro to schedule your free consultation.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimates that thousands of workers die each year in the United States as a result of forklift accidents – be it in construction accidents or in an industrial or factory setting. Some of the most common ways by which these accidents occur include when workers are run over by a passing lift truck; when forklift operators fall off their truck and are crushed or run over by it; or in back-up accidents when the operator fails to spot another worker on the site or on a loading dock.
These types of accidents often result in deaths because of the sheer weight of the equipment. The most common cause of forklift accidents remains the negligence of employees. Many victims in forklift accidents would still be alive had their employers provided them with the required training and supervision necessary in a properly run work-site.
According to OSHA, an estimated one million powered industrial trucks are used in workplaces across the country. The training standard for forklifts makes it mandatory for employers to ensure that each forklift operator is competent to run such a truck safely and completes a training program and evaluation successfully. Adhering to these safety standards can not only save employers $135 million in costs associated with forklift accidents, but more importantly saves lives and prevent catastrophic injuries.
Many New York forklift accidents occur because of overloading. Often times, employers are eager to increase efficiency and encourage workers to pile on excess loads. But this is not a safe practice and can cause a forklift to tip over. In some other cases, workers are crushed when forklifts are overloaded and heavy materials fall as a result. In fact, about 25 percent of forklift accidents occur because the lifts tip over. Defective machines or mechanical malfunctions because of improper maintenance can also sometimes lead to accidents.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a forklift or construction accident, you need an experienced New York personal injury attorney fighting for your rights. You may be entitled to compensation and damages, especially if you were injured by someone else’s negligence or if your employer failed to provide adequate training. Call Wingate, Russotti and Shapiro to schedule your free consultation.
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