IRSST - Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail

Lift trucks - Ergonomic study and analysis of lift truck operators' driving strategies (Phase III)

Abstract

The aim of the researchers was to define the situations, events and working conditions that result in accident risks for operators and their coworkers. The results of their ergonomic analysis show that the job of lift truck operator requires know-how to ensure fluidity of movement while simultaneously managing task execution and safety. This complex work, carried out in often obstructed and tight spaces, calls for information gathering that is visual, auditory and proprioceptive in order to prevent accidents. The visual obstruction caused by encumbered work spaces and lift truck design hides useful information. The study shows that the rules of priority traffic are vague, and not shared between the lift truck operators and their coworkers. The authors of the report state that lift truck operators must continue to be made aware of the hazards of work at heights and near the loads that they have to handle. They make recommendations regarding, among other things, the improvement in lift truck design, the arrangement of the premises, locating the merchandise, work organization and the training of lift truck operators and their coworkers.

Additional Information

Type: Project
Number: 0099-2960
Status: Completed
Year of completion: 2008
Team:
  • Steve Vezeau (Université du Québec à Montréal )
  • Jean-Guy Richard (IRSST)
  • Denis Giguère (IRSST)
  • Nicolas Gagné (Université du Québec à Montréal )
  • Véronique Laflamme (Université du Québec à Montréal )
  • Christian Larue (IRSST)