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*                          INFORMATION ALERT                        *  
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*  Produced by:  Ontario Ministry of Labour                         *  
*  Provided by:  Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety *  
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INFO ALERT:  12  
  
DATE:  March 4, 1991  
  
  
*** HAZARD SUMMARY:  ***  FATALITY - FORKLIFT TRUCK  
  
  A worker was fatally injured when he stepped out from behind a rack  
  at the corner of an intersection and into the path of an 11,00 lb.  
  electric forklift truck.  The operator of the truck was reversing  
  quickly along the main aisle of the plant while looking over his right  
  shoulder.  In 1989, 16% of all industrial accidents were related to  
  forklifts.  
  
  
*** LOCATION(S) AND SECTOR(S) WHERE HAZARD MAY BE ENCOUNTERED ***  
  
  All workplaces where forklift trucks are used.  
  
  
*** APPLICABLE SECTION(S) OF INDUSTRIAL REGULATIONS ***  
  
  Accidents of this type can be avoided if the following sections of  
  the Occupational Health and Safety Act are followed.  
  
  Section 16(1) (a) of the ACT states:  
  
        "A supervisor shall ensure that a worker,  
        (a)  works in the manner and with the protective devices, measures  
             and procedures required by this Act and the regulations."  
  
  Section 17(2) (b) of the ACT states:  
  
        "No worker shall operate any equipment, machine ... or work in  
        a manner that may endanger himself or any other worker."  
  
  Section 21 of the Regulations for Industrial Establishments states:  
  
        "Barriers, warning signs or other safeguards for the protection  
        of all workers in an area shall be used where vehicle or  
        pedestrian traffic may endanger the safety of any worker."  
  
  Section 55(2) of the Regulations for Industrial Establishments states:  
  
         (i)  "A lifting device shall be operated by a competent person, or  
        (ii)  a worker being instructed who is accompanied by a  
              competent person."  
  
  
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NOTE:  "Information Alert" is produced by the Industrial Health and  
       Safety Branch, Ministry of Labour.  The goal of this publication  
       is to communicate hazard information as soon as it becomes  
       available to prevent serious injury to workers.  Reproduction  
       and use of these alerts is encouraged.