Between 2020 and 2025, the Dutch Labour Inspectorate investigated 309 reportable occupational accidents involving collisions with forklifts and similar mobile work equipment. This amounts to an average of more than 51 investigated accidents per year. In ten cases, the victim died.
The accidents involved forklifts, pallet trucks, reach trucks and telehandlers used for internal transport, among other equipment. Most incidents occurred in the transport and storage, industry and trade sectors. Many victims suffered fractures to their feet, ankles and legs.
According to the Labour Inspectorate, most collisions were not caused by a technical defect or inadequate vehicle control. The driver and the victim often failed to notice each other in time. Obstructed visibility due to loads, pallets or racking played a role in this. The Inspectorate also believes that inattentional blindness may have contributed.
In post-accident reports, employers mention various measures to prevent collisions. These include instruction, behavioural change, planning and supervision. They also mention measures at source, such as reducing the number of forklifts, and technical measures, including automatic detection systems.
The figures are included in the 2025 Occupational Accidents Monitor. In that year, the Labour Inspectorate completed 2,230 investigations into reportable accidents. These involved 2,267 victims, 40 of whom died. In 33% of the accidents, there was permanent injury, while 58% involved presumably non-permanent injury.
