We all know that forklifts and other material handling machinery can be dangerous and should be used with caution.   Every year there are tens of thousands of forklift injuries reported.  Even though these machines require special licenses to operate, it is a lack of safe operating procedures, safety rule-enforcement and inadequate training  that contribute  to these accidents.  

When you hear of accidents that involve forklifts, does fire ever enter your mind?  It wouldn’t be the first thing I thought of but surprisingly there are many cases of forklift fires.  According to the NFPA between 2003-2006 there were a reported 1,340 structure and vehicle fires where forklifts and other material handling vehicles were involved.  These fires caused an average of 22 civilian injuries and $36.0 million in property damage. Thankfully no deaths have been reported.  The most common occupancies where forklift fires have occurred are outside and in manufacturing/processing.

Here a some examples of how forklift fires happen:

• Unclassified mechanical failure malfunction 

• Electrical failures or malfunctions 

• Vehicles or their loads can damage the structure, its sprinkler system, or its contents. Such damage can result in fire, impaired  sprinkler performance, or unintentional sprinkler activations

Keep your facility safe incase of an emergency.  Let Seton  be your source for all your safety needs. 

Help avoid any type of  accident, including forklift accidents, by posting safety signs around your facility as a reminder to all.

To read more on this topic visit NFPA

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