PATTERNS OF INJURY AND DISABILITY CAUSED BY FORKLIFT TRUCKS

Over a 7-year period, 34 patients were treated at the Southern New Jer sey Regional Trauma Center for forklift-related injuries, ranging from minor contusions to multiple organ-system trauma. Hospital and rehabi litation courses were prospectively evaluated, documenting long term i mpairment of function and disability. Patients injured by falling from forklifts generally had less severe injuries, requiring fewer surgica l procedures, shorter hospital stays, and less overall disability, tha n patients who received crush-type (object-oriented) injuries. The mor e serious injuries were most frequently caused by a forklift striking or running over the patient There were strong correlations between the Injury Severity Score assessed upon initial evaluation and subsequent length of hospitalization, degree of disability, and extent of functi onal impairment after recovery. These findings support the enforcement of existing safety precautions for the operation of forklift trucks.