Background
A reach truck is a loading device that is used to arrange goods on pallets and insert pallets into tall shelving structures. A basic reach truck has an outrigging wheel mechanism on the front of the truck. Mounted to the outriggers are a set of telescoping forks that move up and down. The hydraulic forks allow an operator to pick up a load and reposition it over the outriggers. This not only provides an even balance of the load, but also makes it easier to manoeuvre the truck into narrow aisles between the storage shelves.
Summary of hazard
The department has observed that a number of seated-model reach trucks used on Western Australian mines, were without a restraining device fitted (i.e. seat belt).
Use of reach trucks which do not have an approved seat belt fitted could potentially lead to serious injury or worse if the machine were to tip over, brake suddenly or strike an object.
Contributory factors
Some seated-model reach trucks are supplied to sites without a suitable seat belt being fitted to the operator’s seat or the cockpit area.