HSE figures show big fall in UK lift truck injuries

The Fork Lift Truck Association has declared itself “very encouraged” by HSE statistics showing a significant fall in UK fork lift truck accidents since the introduction of its National Safety Week.

Announcing the dates of this year's Safety Week, from September 20-26, FLTA chief executive David Ellison confirmed that last year's overall accident toll was the lowest recorded this century - down a full quarter from the average annual figure.

Both the FLTA's initiaive and decreased workloads due to the economic downturn have played a role in the fall.

Workplace transport analysis on the HSE website states: “Forklift truck injuries fell sharply over the last year, leaving it 13% below that in 2001/02 for the first time.”

Fork lift truckrelated deaths and injuries among members of the public plummeted last year to 59% below the average.