A truck driver was killed by a 750-pound (340-kilogram) package of beams which fell from a forklift.

Four 34-foot long (10-meter) laminated beams banded together were being added to a flatbed trailer, already partially loaded. The load had no spacer boards on top, so the forklift mast had to be tipped to slide the banded beams off. The victim stood on the rear of the trailer, guiding the beams. They were dipping at their ends. One end slid off first. Its impact caused the beams to bounce and swing toward the victim, striking him. He fell off the trailer and his head was crushed by the falling beams.

Do you remember to wear a hardhat when helping with loading – or when doing anything with potential for causing head injury?

Investigators called for enforcement of a standard forklift loading procedure and recommended:

• Only safely arranged loads be handled.
• Spacers placed between loads or units.
• No spotter stands near a moving load.
• The spotter/helper be kept in the operator’s sight.