High targets in distribution centres do not benefit employee safety. Too high a workload would rapidly increase the number of accidents in distribution centres.
That is the opinion of personal injury lawyer Sander de Lang to RTV Utrecht. The reason for the statement is last weekend's fatal accident at HEMA's distribution centre in Utrecht. A forklift driver collided with an aerial platform, after which an employee fell down and died.
An employee at the distribution centre anonymously told the regional broadcaster that the workload is creating an unsafe working environment. "With hindsight, we could have seen this coming," he said. Other employees also say the workload is too high at the distribution centre. According to them, forklift drivers race through the hall irresponsibly. "They have to do their work within a certain time," they said.
According to De Lang, there has been a "miraculous" increase in the number of forklift accidents not only at HEMA, but across the industry. In doing so, he relies on a report by the labour inspectorate. There were already seven fatal accidents in the first half of 2016. "But the report by the labour inspectorate shows that the number of industrial accidents is increasing overall. It is an increase of 14 per cent. Last year, there were 70 workplace deaths. That is bizarrely high."
Excessive workload due to booming economy
The labour inspectorate blames it on excessive work pressure. De Lang: "The economy is booming again and more people are needed. Temporary workers are also hired quickly and instructions are insufficient." Safety measures would make little sense if employees feel compelled to drive fast to meet their targets. De Lang cites another recent example, where a distribution centre thought it had got it right by creating one-way traffic. "If you then missed a rack, you had to go down the whole track to get back to that rack. Then one forklift driver decided to drive a bit backwards anyway to save time. Another employee was not prepared for that and lost his leg on impact."
De Lang advocates making forklift certification mandatory, including for temporary workers. "Furthermore, supervision must improve and work pressure must decrease. Make sure there are no more fatalities with this kind of strange equipment."
Reaction HEMA
HEMA has responded to the news coverage surrounding the fatal accident. The retail chain says it does not recognise itself in the criticism. Moreover, it is said to have been calm in the distribution hall when the accident occurred. In a written statement, HEMA writes: "As soon as we receive the outcome of the Labour Inspectorate's investigation, we will of course take this into account to create, if possible, an even safer workplace for our employees."
Editorial LogistiekProfs
