What Are the Main Causes of Injury When Using a Forklift?

Forklifts are an important part of life in warehouses, shipping yards, construction sites, and industrial job sites across the country. They move tons of products, shave hours off manual labor, and keep businesses moving, but what many people don’t realize is the danger associated with these machines.

Every year, thousands of workers are injured in forklift-related accidents. These are not just minor bumps and bruises. Many are serious, life-altering injuries that can take a person off the job for months or even permanently.

And for those injured, the effects ripple beyond the warehouse floor. This can impact their health, families, and ability to make ends meet.

What are the main causes of injury when using a forklift? Here is what you need to know.

Crush Injuries and Tip-Overs

One of the most catastrophic types of forklift accidents involves tip-overs. When a forklift loses balance because it is overloaded, driven too fast, or used on uneven ground, the entire machine can fall on its side. These accidents happen quickly and without warning.

As a result, workers are pinned underneath the vehicle. This can lead to crushed limbs, shattered bones, or internal injuries. In the worst cases, these accidents can be fatal. Even for survivors, the road to recovery is long and painful. They might have to endure surgery, physical therapy, and time away from work.

Struck-by Accidents

In crowded, fast-paced work environments, losing track of where the forklifts are moving can be easy.

One common scenario is when a forklift strikes a worker’s foot. These incidents happen frequently in loading docks and warehouses.

Whether the driver does not see the pedestrian or the pedestrian assumes the forklift will stop, the end result can be broken bones, head trauma, or internal injuries. Sometimes, these incidents can even be fatal.

Falling Loads

Forklifts are built to carry heavy cargo, but not every load is safe. Sometimes, a single box falls from a high shelf. Other times, a full pallet tips over due to an unbalanced lift. No matter what the consequences, workers can suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or crushing injuries.

Any of these could permanently alter the course of their lives and careers.

These incidents often result from a lack of oversight, failure to follow proper loading procedures, or defective equipment that fails at a critical moment.

Falls from Forklifts

It might sound avoidable, but falls from forklifts happen more often than people realize. This can happen when someone slips while climbing in or out. In some cases, they may have been riding on the machine’s forks or side. In any situation, the injuries can be severe.

Workers who fall to the ground often suffer fractured wrists, concussions, or back injuries. In these situations, shortcuts are taken as they are pressured to move faster or meet quotas.

Neck and Back Injuries

Not all forklift injuries happen suddenly. Some build slowly over time. Constant twisting, poor seating posture, or repetitive jolts from rough terrain can leave operators with chronic neck, back, and shoulder pain. Many workers deal with pinched nerves, herniated discs, or mobility issues that develop after years of daily forklift operation.

The Impact of These Injuries

According to the National Safety Council, over 24,960 forklift accidents occurred between 2021 and 2022, which led to an average of 22 missed work days.

When someone is hurt on the job, especially in a forklift-related accident, it affects more than their health. These injuries can impact their ability to work, support their family, and live the life they had before the injury. Not only do they lose wages, but also their sense of identity and independence.

In some cases, workers’ compensation covers part of the recovery costs. However, if an employer or third party fails to maintain equipment, enforce safety protocols, or provide proper training, injured workers may have grounds for a personal injury claim beyond workers’ compensation.

These injuries can be catastrophic. And many times, they can lead to permanent disabilities. If you have been injured in a forklift accident, you have the right to seek workers’ compensation benefits.

At Work Injury Advisor, we offer the resources needed to take those next steps with your claim.