
NT WorkSafe recently issued a safety alert highlighting the risks associated with using forklifts for dual lifts operations.
The alert was issued following an incident in late September 2020, where workers at a Top End worksite attempted to move a 10-metre jib weighing almost 4 tonnes.
The Franna crane normally used to move the jibs was offsite, and a decision was made to dual lift the jib using slings and two forklifts.
During the lift, one of the forklifts positioned at the base of the jib rolled, pushing the jib forward. The uncontrolled momentum of the jib tipped the second forklift sideways.
The forklift operator was wearing the seatbelt at the time, which prevented the worker from falling out of the cabin and potentially into the path of the tipping forklift.
In the past 12 months, there have been 3 serious injury claims in the Northern Territory involving a worker being pinned or crushed by a forklift.
Lifting operation involving more than one item of plant is more complex requiring appropriate planning, coordination and operational control measures to manage the risk.
The alert said there were a number of possible contributing factors:
The alert recommended a number of required actions: