A logistics company has been fined £270,000 after two employees were injured in two separate forklift truck accidents that took place in October 2014. The company involved is Rudolph & Hellmann Automotive, and they have been ordered to pay the fines and costs after one worker had his foot crushed when he was hit by a forklift truck; and on the following day, another worker was pinned beneath a large metal box which fell from a forklift truck, whilst he was walking along a marked pedestrian walkway. The worker endured serious injuries that included internal bleeding, a fractured pelvis and punctured lungs. 

After an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) it was discovered that forklift truck operators and their supervisors had not received correct training and the risk assessments that had been carried out were below standard. Vehicles and pedestrians had also not been separated accordingly. 

The company pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £265,000, and had to pay £14,943 in costs earlier this month. 

This incident was easily preventable had the correct risk control measures been put in place. To ensure a similar incident doesn't happen to you, we highly suggest that take a look at our range of Forklift Safety Signs. Ensure that your workplace meets health and safety requirements by clearly displaying relevant workplace safety signs. To view our range of forklift safety signs click here.

The Fork Lift Truck Association is a European organisation that helps to keep businesses safe when using fork lift trucks. Every September, the FLTA observe Fork Lift Safety Month, a thirty-day campaign to improve safety in workplaces where fork lifts are used.

As you're probably aware, we're pretty big on health and safety here at Label Source, and so we thought we'd mark Fork Lift Safety Month with a brief list of do's and dont's for anyone who operates or works near fork lifts. These vehicles can be extremely dangerous if used improperly - please bear the following points in mind if they apply to you!

Fork Lift Safety: Do's & Dont's

• Don't operate a fork lift without proper training. Fork lift trucks should be totally off-limits to everyone except fully trained personnel.


• Do look out for others while in the driver's seat. Always watch where you're going (especially when reversing) and be aware of those around you - they may not be able to get out of the way in time!


• Don't use a fork lift to transport people. This shouldn't need saying, really, but some people sadly think it's a good idea give each other 'lifts' on the forks of a fork lift. Never offer or accept a lift - fork lifts are for transporting goods, not people!


• Do pay attention to signs. There are plenty of signs related to fork lift trucks in our Safety Signs department; for example, our 'Caution - Fork Lift Trucks' sign should be clearly displayed in any work environment where these vehicles are used. If you work in such an environment, it's important to pay attention to safety signs like this and follow any instructions they give you.

• Don't get too close to a fork lift when in use. Pedestrians should maintain a safe distance and ensure that they're not hidden from the driver's view at any point.


• Do check loads before lifting them. Make sure that they're not too heavy for the fork lift you're using, and that they're suitable for transportation by fork lift. Look out for 'No Forks' labels - any goods bearing such a label should not be lifted using a fork lift.

You should also be sure to check the fork lift itself - is it in safe working order? If not, don't use it!

Click here to see Label Source's full range of fork lift labels and safety signs.