Talk about irony. When we were planning our special coverage of National Forklift Safety Day in DC Velocity's May issue, we searched stock photography websites for an image of a properly attired lift truck operator conferring with a supervisor. We thought we'd found the perfect photo, by a photographer who is based in Germany.
Unfortunately, the photo—which appeared on our May cover and in the article "Forklift safety ... past, present, and future"—shows a common safety violation. The overhead guard on the lift truck in the photo has been covered by a piece of plywood—a big no-no, as it compromises the operator's visibility when lifting loads. Only a transparent cover is allowed in cases where a cover would be necessary for the operator's safety. Otherwise, an overhead guard with no cover is the way to go.
Thanks to those who brought this to our attention. We work hard to ensure accuracy in our articles and regret the error.
