For example, those who are not careful or do not take safety seriously may not follow proper safety protocols or procedures, which can lead to accidents or injuries and pose hazards to fellow workers.

Workers who are not focused or engaged in their work may not notice potential hazards or make mistakes, leading to accidents. Also, when they neglect to maintain equipment such as a double-reach forklift, compressor, boiler, and other process and industrial machinery, these devices can malfunction and fail.

Another sign that workers are neglecting their duties is not reporting hazards or issues. For example, if they notice that arear-mounted (or Piggyback) forklift is malfunctioning, such as smoke or an unusual odour, decreased power or lifting performance, or leaks, they should report it to avoid accidents and injuries to themselves and their coworkers.

3. Unsafe machinery

Unsafe machinery can result from a lack of proper maintenance, leading to equipment failure or malfunction and putting workers at risk of injury. Hazardous machinery may not have proper safety guards or devices to protect workers from moving parts or other hazards. For example, before operating tractor rear-mounted forklifts, ensure that they have undergone proper maintenance and servicing. Failure to do so may result in engine issues, transmission problems, brake issues, and other component problems. Overloaded forklifts can also be dangerous.

You must conduct regular machinery inspections to pinpoint potential hazards and safety issues early.

4. Improper use of equipment

When a machine is used improperly, it means it’s not operated according to its instructions or industry standards. For example, when your workers have not been trained adequately on operating a tractor rear forklift, it can negatively impact safety in an industrial workplace. Improper use of equipment can also result in equipment malfunction, leading to injuries or failure and reducing the equipment’s lifespan, leading to costly repairs or replacements. Improperly using a piece of equipment, like a forklift for the back of a tractor, can cause damage to the equipment, leading to violations of safety regulations. This will require you to pay fines or penalties.

5. Chemical exposure and faulty design

Chemical exposure refers to the presence of harmful chemicals in the workplace that can harm workers’ health or cause accidents. This can happen when chemicals are not stored or handled properly or when workers are not provided with the appropriate PPE or training on handling chemicals safely. Chemical exposure can lead to various health problems, including respiratory issues, skin irritation, chemical burns, and more severe conditions such as cancer.

On the other hand, faulty design can happen when equipment is not designed to meet industry standards. A faulty design can lead to many accidents, including equipment failure, explosions, structural collapses, and injuries such as cuts, burns, and broken bones.

6. Lack of safety practices and procedures

When an industrial workplace lacks safety practices and procedures, the employer has not established or implemented clear guidelines and protocols for the safe operation of equipment, handling of materials, and management of hazards in the workplace. This can lead to several issues that can negatively impact worker safety, including increased risk of accidents, lack of guidance during emergencies, unsafe equipment operation, lack of enforcement, and unclear communication.

How to Avoid Industrial Accidents

Companies like yours can protect employees, assets, and reputation by learning to avoid industrial accidents while improving productivity and efficiency. You also have a legal and moral obligation to ensure the safety of your workers.

Here are some tips for avoiding industrial accidents to ensure the well-being of employees and minimize losses for the company:

• Develop and implement safety procedures and protocols.
• Provide proper training and education for employees on safety procedures.
• Regularly inspect equipment and machinery for potential hazards.
• Ensure that personal protective equipment is worn correctly and consistently.
• Encourage employees to report any safety concerns or near-miss incidents.
• Use safety signs and labels to mark hazards and emergency exits.
• Keep a clean and organized work environment.
• Implement a system to identify, evaluate, and control hazards.
• Regularly review and update safety procedures as necessary.
• Foster a culture of safety in the workplace.

Don’t let underride collisions and other industrial hazards put your forklift operators at risk. Install our reliable forklift rear posts, The Backbone, on your forklifts. It is the leading forklift underride protection system in the market and can safeguard your operators.

Contact our Lakeport Metalcraft team today to learn more about how we can help you reduce industrial accidents and protect your workers with a reliable rearguard. Call 416-587-5809 to speak with Norm.