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According to the British Safety Council, around 1,300 people every year are involved in an accident that involves a forklift truck. In addition, a tipped over forklift accounts for 25% of yearly forklift accidents, claims McCue. While it’s not the most common cause of forklift accidents that happen annually, it still makes up a considerable proportion of forklift-related mishaps. While it’s still a relatively common cause of forklift accidents, we’re on hand to give you some reasons as to why forklift tip over happens, together with some information on how to prevent it from occurring in the first place.
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1. Accelerating or braking too quickly or sharply
Whether you’re carrying a load or not, accelerating or braking too quickly, regardless if you’re going forwards, backwards or turning around a corner, can cause a forklift to tip over. It can cause the centre of gravity to shift, therefore resulting in the destabilisation of the forklift. This is what can cause the forklift to tip over. If you want to mitigate this from the outset, simply travel at slow and steady speeds at all times, but especially when carrying a load of any size.
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2. Carrying loads heavier than the recommended weight
Something you need to do before using a forklift is checking the capacity of them. Not only does that mean looking at the lift height capacity, but it also means paying close attention to the weight capacity. If you use a forklift to lift a load that is heavier than recommended, it can cause the forklift to tip forwards. If you’re wanting to stop this from happening, then look at the weight capacity of the forklift and do not exceed that.
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3. Not performing the right maintenance
If a forklift isn’t in good shape, then it can be dangerous from the outset. Making sure the right maintenance is performed is one of the first ways of preventing forklift accidents, whether it be tipping over, crashing or otherwise. Parts and components that have become damaged or that have malfunctioned have the potential to compromise the stability of the forklift. Even something as simple as not having the correct tyre pressure can cause a forklift to tip over. Make sure that all maintenance is carried out on every forklift in your fleet, leaving no stone unturned. This is one of the most simple-yet-effective ways of preventing forklift tip over.
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4. Incorrect mast positioning
Positioning the mast in an incorrect manner can cause the forklift to tip over. This is more the case when it comes to lifting a load with the mast tilted towards the front of the forklift. It shifts the forklift’s centre of gravity forwards, therefore increasing the chances of a forward tip over. To avoid the forklift from tipping over, make sure the mast is kept upright and pay attention to any inclines and declines you might come across along the way. Anything that shifts the forklift’s centre of gravity poses the threat of forklift tip over.
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5. Overhead obstacles
Crashing into obstacles that sit overhead is also a common reason for forklift tip over. It affects the stability of the forklift itself, therefore causing it to wobble and then, subsequently, tip over. If you’re looking to mitigate the chances of forklift tip over as a result of overhead obstacles, then take a look at the route you need to take, pay attention to anything that might be overhead and then check the height, and the lift height, of your forklift. Keep in mind that you may be carrying a load that comes up higher than the height of the forklift, so factor this in as well when it comes to navigating routes with overhead obstacles present.
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6. Turning around corners too fast
Just like when driving a car, turning around corners too quickly can cause the forklift truck to become compromised, therefore tipping over in the process. Its centre of gravity doesn’t allow for quick or sharp turns around corners, so if you come across one, make sure you drive the forklift slowly and carefully.
It’s also important to note that the likelihood of a forklift tipping over around a corner becomes higher if it’s carrying any kind of load, no matter how light or heavy it might be. The short answer to avoiding forklift tip over? Don’t go around corners too fast or tight.
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7. Lifting or lowering loads on steep gradients
By stopping a forklift on a steep gradient, whether it be directed upwards or downwards, you’re shifting its centre of gravity. Seeing as it’s no longer on a stable surface, you risk the entire forklift tipping over as a result. If you need to pick up or offload stock on a gradient, make sure you’re using a forklift with the correct weight capacity.
Also, opt for a multi-directional forklift truck that has the highest possible weight capacity, for good measure. If you’re wanting to avoid the problem completely, then simply avoid loading and unloading stock of any kind on steep gradients, if you can help it.
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8. Driving over potholes
Unexpectedly driving over potholes and other obstacles in the middle of surfaces can cause the forklift truck to become trapped in crevices, therefore preventing the wheels from turning and causing the forklift to become stuck. Depending on the depth of the pothole, it can cause the forklift to tip either forwards or backwards. In some cases, it could cause the forklift to tip over sideways.
If you’re looking to prevent the forklift from tipping over as a result of hitting potholes, then someone needs to scout out the route that the forklift is going to take before embarking on their journey. Especially if the forklift is carrying a hefty load. In addition, the forklift operator should always wear a seatbelt to avoid being toppled from the forklift chassis.
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Multy Lift has over three decades of experience in the material handling industry, providing customers throughout the UK with high-calibre, robust forklifts, reach trucks, stackers and order pickers, to name just a few pieces of warehouse machinery we have on offer. We are also able to offer used forklifts and second-hand warehouse equipment, as well as industrial cleaning equipment and chemicals. If you would like further information about how we can help you today, get in touch with a member of our friendly, knowledgeable team – we’re always pleased to hear from you.
