Occupational fatalities involving forklifts.

Abstract

Forklift rollovers account for approximately 18% of all fatalities involving forklifts and many of the more serious injuries in the workplace. Proportionate mortality ratios were calculated by using Occupational Safety and Health Administration fatality inspection records for forklift rollovers that resulted in a fatality by industry. An analysis of variance procedure was performed on the average ages of the victims by industry. The retail trades industry had a significantly higher (p < 0.05) than expected proportion of fatalities attributable to forklift rollovers. The analysis of variance identified significant differences in the average ages of the victims; however, post hoc comparisons did not yield significant differences. The majority of the fatalities in the retail trades industry occurred in the building materials, garden supply, and hardware retail trades. Engineering and administrative prevention measures are discussed.