Date of incident: January 2014
Notice of incident number: 2014116670019
Employer: Supplier of plumbing materials

Incident summary
A warehouse worker sustained fatal injuries while operating a long-reach forklift. The worker was returning the forklift to a recharging area. After turning down the aisle towards the charging station, he inadvertently veered to the left and into a vertical column of the storage racking. The worker sustained crushing injuries after being pinched between the forklift and the column.

Investigation conclusions
Cause

• Forklift veered off course, crushing operator against racking: The warehouse worker sustained fatal crushing injuries when he became pinned between the forklift he was operating and a vertical column of the storage racking.

Underlying factor

• Loss of control of the forklift: The worker lost control of the forklift and became pinned between the vertical column of storage racking and the left-hand panel of the operator's cab.

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