FACTS
- Some pallet jacks are capable of carrying 2000kg and this weight creates a risk of injury. The majority of pallet jacks, electric or manual, require the operator to walk along with them, and many operators will be lifting goods on and off the forks.
- The operator must keep control of the pallet jack at all times and be especially cautious on ramps and slopes. The operator must never ride on the pallet jack unless it has a specific platform.
- The operator can brake the pallet jack by dropping the load, so the pallet makes contact with the ground. When travelling down a slope, the operator must not put themselves in the way of the pallet jack.
- Wear appropriate footwear and ensure any spills are mopped up. Take extra care if using in wet areas.
- Maintain the floor by fixing potholes and cracks, and creating bridging plates or ramps for joints in surfaces or changes in elevation.
- When pallet jacks aren’t in use, store them in a designated place or put the forks into a pallet so that they don’t create a trip hazard.
STATS
- Electric pallet jack and industrial truck accidents result in about 34,900 injuries annually. Of these injuries, nearly 8,000 involved Electric pallet jack.
- Electric pallet jacks are involved in an average of 85 deaths each year.
- Most non-fatal electric pallet jack injuries happened to men (88%) and to operators between the ages of 25 to 34.
- An average of 7% of workers missed work each year due to an electric pallet jack -related injury.
- Fatal electric pallet jack injuries affected men (99%) and 55 to 64-year-olds the most.
- Roughly 1 person is killed in an electric pallet jack accident every three days in the U.S.
- One-quarter of warehouse injuries happen on the loading dock.
- OSHA found that 25% of Electric Pallet Jack accidents are due to inadequate operator training.