Seatbelt saves driver during forklift rollover

Wednesday, 14 August, 2013

According to a mine safety alert from NSW Trade & Investment, in a recent incident a driver lost control of an unladen forklift while driving downhill on a long, straight quarry road. The forklift rolled over and came to rest in an adjacent drain. The driver received bruising to his foot.

Investigations indicated that the driver was wearing a seatbelt. It’s believed that the seatbelt prevented the driver from being crushed, which could have resulted in serious injury or a fatality.

Speed and an undulating road surface were also possible contributing factors. The investigators also noted that most tip-over incidents involve unloaded forklifts, as they are more unstable than a loaded forklift carrying a low load.

For further details and recommendations, please view the full safety alert SA13-09 Seat belt saves forklift driver at: www.resources.nsw.gov.au/safety/safety-alerts.

Related News

Transport Australia launches with "a focus on safety, sustainability and the end user"

Transport Australia, the new peak industry body — formerly Roads Australia — has...

Structural collapse leads to $850K enforceable undertaking

Following the collapse of a large section of structural steel framework, an enforceable...

Biological hazards at work model Code of Practice now available

To assist employers with protecting workers and others from exposure to biological hazards in...


  • All content Copyright © 2026 Westwick-Farrow Pty Ltd