Death of crane operator

In a reported incident, a crane operator fell out on the road, after hitting another crane moving ahead on the road. The crane toppled and the person died under it.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/crane-driver-dies-in-freak-accident/articleshow/81280935.cms

It appears that the operator did not wear any seat belt. Safety requirements specify the use of a seatbelt to prevent such falls. It is often seen that operators of material handling equipment like cranes, forklift trucks, etc do not wear seat belts even though provided by the manufacturers. Some operators jump out sensing some trouble to protect themselves, but in the process, get injured from the crane/forklift or the load lifted falling on them. A seatbelt or restrain device keeps the person within the secured cabin.

https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2019/jul/03/operator-dies-as-crane-overturns-in-hyderabad-1998767.html

Managers should ensure the use of seat belts to avoid such (fatal) incidents by education, supervision, and enforcement.

http://aluminiumplantsafety.blogspot.com/2019/11/crane-operator-dies-in-freak-accident.html

Double riding on forklifts - is it acceptable?

Questions are raised on whether one can have a ride on the forklift apart from the forklift operator? Or, for that matter on any other material handling equipment like pallet truck or tractor, etc.

Anybody sitting next to the operator of the vehicle causes inconvenience that may lead to road accidents. Unless, the equipment is designed such that the vehicle controls are within the reach of the operator and that the sitting position of co-riders in noway obstructs operation/control of the vehicle, one should not permit riding on the vehicle.

It is quite common to see persons sitting on either side of the driver of tractors and sometimes on the connecting attachment between the tractor and the trailer, causing inconvenience to the driver. These person apart from causing inconvenience also cause diversion of driver's attention by talking among themselves and with the driver.

We should not add seats or modify the design of the vehicle on our own, unless it is permitted by the supplier. As said above, one should see whether the vehicle can be operated safely by the driver, with the changed design i.e addition of seats. Otherwise, we will be creating hazard for the persons in the factory.

I read sometime ago, that in some places, double riding is a punishable offence. A case study in the form of judgement teaches us that factory management also got responsibility  to create awareness among employees about do's and don't's for forklift use/operation.

610 kg Saudi man forklifted to hospital

This may be an exceptional case. But, people should not draw inspiration to use forklift for personal movement. Forklifts are for material handling. A number of persons got injured while riding on forklift. If the person standing on the forks near mast does not remove his hand, he may get finger amputation during mast movement.
Remember the injury to Imran Khan, famous cricketer and politician in Pakistan who fell down and got injured due to imbalance while standing on a forklift.
610 kg Saudi man forklifted to hospital


LINK

Forklift for transport of persons

 Most famous cricketer and politician, Imran Khan fell from a makeshift platform on the forks of a forklift, while moving up to reach election campaign stage. The video (http://vimeo.com/65647621) and (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AlUH9vqCf5g)  show clearly that already, it was used to move some people on to the stage before the incident happened. There were 6-7 persons including Imran Khan on the forklift, and while fifth person tried to go up, the group lost balance and fell from a height of about 5 m.
The idea of using forklift instead of erecting steps to reach the stage is a misconceived one and in the process caused injuries to the cricketer and politician. In industries, use of forklift for other than material handling/movement is viewed seriously.

Fall from height - wrong use of forklift - firm penalized

In an incident, two staff of a door fitting firm strapped a wooden crate to a forklift to go up and fix a motor on the wall for a rolling shutter. The person was lifted on the attachment made to forklift and when he turned to pick tools, the crate tipped, person fell by 5 m height after losing balance and received fracture injuries. He was operated upon. HSE investigated the incident, prosecuted the employer and imposed a fine of 1000 pounds and 1870 pounds for costs because of poor planning for work at height and violation of work at height regulations.
In many work places, it is common to see abuse of forklifts. They are used for double/triple/ quadruple riding, joy riding, to go to other departments on personal work, use forks for reaching an elevation instead of using ladder, etc. Employees also do not listen to safety supervisor's objection and it is distressing to watch that even in-charges also take it as normal and no other go option.
In a regional movie which I saw several years ago, the hero who is MD of a soft drink company (brand displayed is reputed) and his friend both stand on the forks with hands resting on the body and moving around. I do not understand how the company allowed such act in their premises, while permitting the film unit for shooting.
Fatalities, injuries like amputation due to trapping between moving fork and stationary mast, hit against, loss of control due to driving at speed, toppling while driving on inclined roads or at high speed or loose ground, etc were reported and one can find such case studies in internet. Still, people take it as one-off incident or of the attitude that it will not happen to them.
Safety at work place can be improved only when fellow employees question unsafe practices and force the violators to stop such acts.Good words and rules will have impact on those who listen but not on wishful violators.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2012/rnn-em-173.htm?eban=rss-