309 forklift accidents in six years: safety deserves continued attention
Forklifts are indispensable within warehouses, distribution centers and production environments. At the same time, they are among the work equipment with major safety risks. Recent figures from the Dutch Labor Inspectorate show that no fewer than 309 reportable occupational accidents due to collisions with forklift trucks were investigated between 2020 and 2025. This amounts to an average of more than one serious accident per week.
Serious consequences for employees
The accidents investigated occurred mainly in the transport and storage, industry and trade sectors. In ten cases the accident ended fatally. In addition, many victims suffered serious injuries, such as broken bones in the feet, ankles and legs.
These figures show that internal transport is not only a logistical issue, but also an important part of occupational safety.
How do these accidents occur?
It is striking that most collisions are not caused by technical defects or insufficient driving skills. According to the Dutch Labor Inspectorate, a large part of the accidents occur because drivers and pedestrians do not see or notice each other in time.
Possible causes are:
- Immended vision due to loads, pallets or racks.
- Insufficient separation between walking routes and driving routes.
- busy working environments with many traffic movements.
- Insufficient awareness of risks.
- Attention blindness, where a hazard is visible but not consciously observed.
Prevention is better than cure
Employers have an important responsibility to manage risks surrounding internal transport. Several effective measures are mentioned in the reports following accidents, including: & nbsp;
- Clear traffic and walking routes.
- Good instruction and information.
- Active supervision of safe working.
- Set up logistics processes smarter.
- Restricting traffic movements.
- Deployment of detection and warning systems.
In addition, it is important to include these risks in the Risk Inventory & Evaluation (RI&E) and periodically test whether existing measures are still sufficiently in line with practice.
Safety starts with awareness
A safe working environment is not created solely by rules and procedures. Employees must recognize risks, understand safety agreements and dare to hold each other accountable for unsafe behavior. A strong safety culture in particular helps organizations to prevent incidents before they occur.
Regular training, evaluation of incidents and attention to safe behavior contribute to a working environment in which employees can work safely and organizations can ensure their continuous ï can guarantee.
Conclusion
The figures from the Dutch Labour Inspectorate make it clear that forklift accidents still pose a significant risk. By mapping risks early, separating traffic flows, properly instructing employees and keeping safety structurally on the agenda, many incidents can be prevented.
