Warehouse Laborer Falls From Forklift

A man working in an electronics store warehouse fell six feet (two meters) to his death as he attempted to retrieve boxes from a forklift. The man was standing on a wooden pallet raised by the forklift, despite written warnings on the forklift stating it was not to be used to lift people. The victim was not wearing fall protection and neither the forklift nor the wooden pallet was equipped with a guard to prevent a fall.

The man fell about six feet and was found bleeding from the back of his head. His pulse was faint and his breathing was irregular. Co-workers began CPR and called 911, however their efforts to save him were not successful. He died from blunt force trauma to the head.

To protect yourself from similar accidents always read and follow instructions and warnings posted on the equipment you use. Use equipment only for its intended purpose. Forklifts should be used to lift people only if they are designed for this purpose and equipped with a guardrail. Remain aware of all workplace hazards and speak with your employer if you have concerns about how to avoid them.