According to figures recently revealed for National Fork Lift Safety Week, the road transport industry accounts for around a quarter of the overall UK injury toll, making it the least safe industry by far with 384 injuries in 2009/10. The storage and warehousing sector fares much better with 71 injuries in the same period, and has improved by almost 80% in the last ten years.

The figures, extracted by the Fork Lift Truck Association from reports published by the Health & Safety Executive, include injuries that required workers to take three days or more off work, as well as hospitalisations and fatalities. Furthermore, the HSE believes non-fatal injuries are substantially under-reported, meaning the true accident toll could actually be much higher.

FLTA Chief Executive David Ellison said "Sadly, there are...some industries where the safety message has yet to be understood, and where workers face unnaceptable risks. For lift truck injuries are frequently serious - sometimes fatal - and managers have a legal and moral duty to ensure safe working systems, good equipment and proper training are in place." C

Companies in the identified risk industries are urgently advised to e-mail the FLTA at mail@fork-truck.org.uk to request a free employee safety booklet.