Order Selector Jumps From Pallet

A warehouse order selector died after jumping 16 feet (about five meters) from an elevated pallet on a forklift when the forklift began to overturn.

The victim wore a safety belt and lanyard connected to an anchor point on the mast of the forklift. The victim had finished selecting all the items available in the aisle in which he was positioned. To save time, he instructed the forklift operator to move the forklift into the next aisle without lowering the pallet. As the forklift was making the turn, it began to overturn.

The victim unhooked his lanyard from the anchor point and tried to jump from the pallet. He fell, striking his head on the concrete floor.

The forklift should not have been moved with the load in the air, even though the victim who instructed the driver to do so was a senior employee. Anyone who operates a forklift needs proper training with regular review, as well as supervision to make sure safe practices are followed at all times.