Factors That May Cause A Forklift Truck To Overturn

Factors that may cause a forklift truck to overturn:

• Driving around corners too quickly.
• Uneven loading of the forks.
• Driving over potholes.
• Driving with the load elevated, especially when going around corners.
• Uneven tire pressures.
• Driving across a slope rather than straight up or down the slope.
• Excessive braking.
• Collisions, especially with kerbs.

A driver may lose control of their vehicle for various reasons, such as:

• Driver error (e.g. driving too fast).
• Environmental conditions (e.g. mud on the road).
• Mechanical failure (e.g. brake failure).

Depending on the type of vehicle being driven, this loss of control may result in a skid, collision or overturn of the vehicle.

Some vehicles, because of their design or environment of use, are more likely to overturn than others. Forklift trucks (which have a very short, narrow wheel-base) and dumper trucks (which have a high center of gravity and are often used on rough terrain) are frequently involved in overturning accidents.

When a vehicle overturns, the driver can easily be trapped or crushed between the vehicle and the floor unless precautions are taken to retain the driver in a safe location – this is why the use of seat belts is so important.