Injured by a PIT?
We move first and fast.
Forklifts and other Powered Industrial Trucks (PIT) – including stand-up/reach trucks, order pickers, and pallet jacks – keep warehouses, distribution centers, and job sites moving. But when operators are rushed or poorly trained, when aisles are overcrowded, when maintenance is skipped, or when the machine itself is defective, these vehicles can become deadly.
Tip-overs, uncontrolled rollaways, and load drops can cause amputations, crush injuries to the legs and torso, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, paralysis, and wrongful death. Many of these incidents are preventable with basic safeguards: proper certification and refresher training, pre-operation inspections, clear speed and traffic rules, functioning horns and backup alarms, adequate lighting and visibility, and equipment thatâs designed, guarded, and maintained to standard.
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Why PIT incidents are so dangerous
- Instability & visibility limits: Lift trucks can tip, especially with raised or unstable loads, tight turns, or uneven floors. Limited sightlines increase pedestrian strike risks.
- High-energy environments: Narrow aisles, racking, and mixed traffic (people, pallets, vehicles) amplify the chance of severe harm to both operators and bystanders.
- Regulatory guardrails exist but are often broken: OSHA rules prohibit under-18 operation and ban turning with raised loads; when employers and operators ignore standards, people get hurt.
Common accidents & injuries
Forklifts and lift trucks are notoriously unstable and can easily fall over and cause injury to everyone around. Common accidents include:
- Tip-overs and collisions (a major share of fatal events)
- Pedestrian/bystander strikes in aisles and dock areas
- Load drops and crush events from hydraulic or load-stability failures
- Entrapment/pin-ins (legs, feet, and lower body)
Resulting harm can include amputations, spinal cord injury, TBI, complex orthopedic trauma, and wrongful death.
Common Class Defects
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), over 10% of all forklifts will eventually experience an accident. However, proper training and safety standards can also help prevent an accident from ever occurring. In other cases, a product defect can lead to a forklift accident, requiring legal help to secure a positive outcome.
Brake Failures
Forklifts rely heavily on their braking systems to stop safely. Brake failures can lead to catastrophic accidents, including collisions, tip-overs, and injuries to both operators and bystanders.
Steering Mechanism Issues
Defects in the steering system can result in loss of control, leading to accidents, collisions, and potential injuries. Poor steering responsiveness can be especially dangerous in confined spaces.
Faulty Hydraulics
Forklifts depend on hydraulic systems for lifting and lowering loads. Hydraulic failures can cause loads to drop unexpectedly, posing a significant risk to operators and those nearby.
Tire and Wheel Defects
Damaged or underinflated tires, as well as defects in wheels, can destabilize a forklift and increase the risk of tipping over, especially when carrying heavy loads.
Operator Visibility Issues
Limited visibility due to defects in mirrors, cabs, or other components can result in accidents involving pedestrians or other equipment.
Electrical System Problems
Forklifts often use electrical systems for various functions, including lights and horn signaling. Electrical defects can hinder communication and visibility, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
Load Capacity and Stability Deficiencies
Forklifts are designed with specific load capacities. Defects in this area can lead to overloading, tipping, and accidents.
Lack of Safety Features
Missing or malfunctioning safety features such as seat belts, backup alarms, and overhead guards can significantly increase the risk of accidents and injuries.
Inadequate Maintenance
Neglecting regular maintenance can lead to various defects and issues with forklifts. Itâs essential to investigate whether maintenance procedures were followed correctly.
Know Your Rights as a Forklift Operator
Industrial workers have rights under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1970. Employers are required to fix common hazards and adopt preventive measures and regulations to avoid accidents, including ongoing maintenance and safety checks.
For example, employers are not legally permitted to hire a forklift operator who has not completed the appropriate certification. Itâs also a violation of the law for anyone under the age of 18 to operate a forklift for any reason. When employees ignore these regulations and best practices, operators or bystanders are often injured and face devastating financial losses due to medical bills and an inability to work.
Stand-Up & Reach Trucks: Added Risks
Stand-up/reach trucks are built for narrow aisles and high racking, but their design changes the risk profile compared to sit-down lifts.
Operators stand sideways (side-stance) in a compact compartment with one leg near the opening; visibility and reaction time are different, and a lateral hit or pin-in can trap the operatorâs foot, ankle, or leg against racking, pallets, end-cap guards, columns, or the truck frame.
Rapid mast extension/retraction and tight turns with raised loads can shift the center of gravity outside the stability envelope, increasing tip-over or off-dock risks – especially near dock plates, floor transitions, and uneven or debris-covered surfaces.
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