Employee Severely Injured by Forklift

Case Overview

This case takes place in Delaware and involves an employee who was injured at a trade show by a forklift. When the trade show had ended and move out was underway – an member of the trade show organization was driving an very large fork lift for industrial use, without a spotter. The forklift driver drove over the employee’s foot, causing severe damage. The injured employee has required extensive surgery and will likely require a foot amputation.

Questions to the Materials expert and their responses

For events like the one described above, do you have specific safety guidelines which stipulate terms of use for large forklifts inside exhibit halls?

My company has produced events like the one in this case, and we have used Versa lifts of various sizes inside the halls to move heavy machinery. We do have training and safety guidelines for the operation of forklifts while loading, unloading, and assembling machinery on trade shows.

Are there policies in place to protect exhibitors and other patrons during 'move out,' as heavy equipment is being used to move fixtures?

There are two general policies in place regarding operating any forklift around exhibitors, attendees, or other personnel. The first is that when it is required to operate forklifts near these type people, there will be a ground man present to keep the people clear of the equipment and direct the operator when it is safe to move the machine. The second general policy is that the operator will not operate a forklift with a large load which will restrict the operator’s view without a ground man assisting, nor will the operator lift any heavy piece high off the deck where it could possibly fall off of the forks if there are any persons in the vicinity.

About the expert

In 1986 this trade show expert was hired as Material Handling manager for the fourth or fifth larges trade show company in charge of the material handling operation in warehouses and at trade show locations across the country. Since 1995 he has been Vice President of National Operations for the company and responsible for the creation, publication, revision, and employee training with respect to operational procedures concerning all installation and dismantling of trade shows across the country. He also manages labor relations including negotiating Union contracts nationally, and process all significant liability, property loss, and worker compensation claims in conjunction with retained legal counsel. He produces two or three of our largest shows each year.

E-008456

Specialties:

Materials