Forklift trucks are among the most dangerous pieces of equipment in the workplace, so ensure you stay safe when you're in or around them.

A medium sized forklift weighs about the same as an average dump truck and can cause just as much damage and injury when travelling around the workplace. This is why only authorised trainees or those holding a certificate of competency can drive a forklift truck. However, no certificates are required to operate a pedestrian operated forklift.

Forklifts are designed to lift, transport, and stack heavy loads using the two forks situated at the front of the vehicle. They reduce the need for manual handling by employees, and as a result, can minimise the risk of manual handling injuries.

However, the use of forklift trucks is associated with severe injuries and in some cases, fatalities. Almost half of all the forklift injuries and fatalities happen to walking employees or pedestrians, including impacts from collisions and falling loads. Hence the importance of informing forklift operators and walking employees about the risks and the procedures to follow to avoid any form of accident.

Forklift Operators
If you are a forklift operator, you can prevent injuries by:

• Attending training and information sessions and keeping records of them.
• Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment when required.
• Conducting a thorough inspection of the forklift and reporting any damages before starting your shift.
• Not operating a forklift if you are fatigued or intoxicated.
• Wearing a seatbelt where there is one provided.
• Not exceeding the safe lift limit when handling a load.
• Observing speed limits.
• Slowing down and sounding your horn at an intersection.
• Giving way to pedestrians when driving.
• Not riding or allowing another person to ride on the forklift.
• Not leaving the keys in an unattended forklift.

Walking Employee/Pedestrian
If you have to walk in a depot where forklift trucks operate, follow these safety procedures to avoid being injured:

• Walk only in the designated and restricted pedestrian zone.
• Wear the appropriate high visibility clothing when walking in the depot.
• Stay at a reasonable distance from the forklift even when speaking with the operator.
• Follow the signs and instructions carefully.

Work safety regulations requires that you report any incidents involving forklifts to your manager or supervisor to prevent them happening again.
Sources: Workcover NSW; Workcover Tasmania; Workcover ACT; and Worksafe Victoria.

Steak, Guinness and cheese pie with puff pastry lid
It's a Winter Winner!

INGREDIENTS

• olive oil
• 3 medium red onions, peeled and chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 sticks of celery, trimmed and chopped
• 10 button mushrooms, sliced
• 1kg chuck steak, cut into 2cm cubes
• 1 440ml can of Guinness
• Few sprigs of fresh rosemary
• Sea salt and ground pepper
• 2 Tbsp of plain flour
• 150g low fat Cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 sheet reduced fat puff pastry
• 1 large free range egg, beaten

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C.
2. In a large ovenproof pan, heat the olive oil, add the onions and fry for five minutes. Turn up the heat and add the garlic, carrots and celery and scatter in the mushrooms. Then add the beef, rosemary, a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of pepper.
3. Fry for 3-4 minutes then add the Guinness, stir in the flour, and add just enough water to cover.
4. Bring to a simmer, cover with a lid, and place in the oven for 1 1/2 hours. Remove the pan from the oven and give the stew a stir. Put it back into the oven and continue to cook it for another hour, or until the stew is rich and dark. Stir in half the cheese and leave to cool.
5. Tip the stew into a pie dish, and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Place the pastry sheet over the top of the pie, and stick it to the edge of the pie dish with beaten egg.
6. Brush it with beaten egg, put the pie into the bottom of the oven, and cook for 45 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden.
   
   Serves 4 to 6.