A forklift operator died on Sunday, following a tragic accident at a chicken plant in Arcadia, Louisiana.
Forklift Fell From Loading Dock
The deadly incident was reported around 7:15 a.m., March 5th, at the House of Raeford Farms processing facility in Bienville Parish.
The 40-year-old operator, Robert Andrews, of Delight, Arkansas, somehow lost control of his forklift while he was working on a loading dock at the back of the facility, causing it to fall from the dock.
It is believed that Andrews jumped off the vehicle and was crushed against a high beam by the forklift.
An ambulance rushed Andrews to Bienville Medical Center in Arcadia, but he later died of internal injuries.
Forklift Operator Employed by Outside Contractor
Raeford Farms of Louisiana LLC is the largest employer in Bienville Parish, with a workforce of about 900 people.
Andrews was employed by Delight Fabrication LLC, a contractor performing repairs at the plant.
Arcadia Police and investigators from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) are working to determine the cause of Sunday’s tragedy.
Forklift Accidents Kill Dozens of Workers Every Year
According to OSHA statistics, around 85 people die every year in connection with forklift accidents. Nearly 35,000 sustain serious injuries.
Common causes of forklift accidents include:
- Overloading
- Collisions
- Falling loads
- Accidently driving a forklift off a loading dock
- Poor maintenance
- Lack of safety devices
- Issues with visibility or obstructions
- Operator loss of control
- Horseplay or misuse
Federal law requires that all forklift operators be over the age of 18 and be trained and certified prior to operating the vehicle.
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