Incident Response, Emergency Procedures and Accident Reporting
This domain tests what you do in the first seconds of a tip-over, fire, load drop or hydraulic failure, and how the incident is reported. The exam favours simple, practised actions over improvised rescue.
Core rules
- Tip-over: stay in the seat, keep the seat belt on, brace your feet, hold the steering wheel and lean away from the direction of impact. Do not jump. After the truck stops, exit carefully and check for fire or leaking fuel.
- Falling load or hydraulic failure: stay clear of the load, warn others, stop the truck safely, lower the forks if possible, and isolate the area.
- Fire: stop, shut off the engine or power, raise the alarm, evacuate and use the correct extinguisher only if trained and the fire is small. Do not use water on electrical or battery fires.
- First aid and rescue: call trained first aiders; do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger.
- Reporting: report internally immediately, preserve the scene, record witnesses, photos and maintenance history. In Malaysia, the employer notifies DOSH under the OSH (Notification of Accident, Dangerous Occurrence, Occupational Poisoning and Occupational Disease) Regulations 2004, generally within 7 days, with immediate notification for fatal or serious cases as required.
Worked example
A forklift starts to tip sideways on a ramp. Reasoning: jumping risks being crushed by the overhead guard. Stay belted, brace, hold the wheel and lean away from the fall. After the truck stops, exit on the safe side, check for fuel leaks and injuries, keep others away, and report the incident. Do not right the truck yourself.
Traps
- Jumping during a tip-over.
- Trying to right a forklift without trained help.
- Moving an injured person unnecessarily.
- Restarting a damaged truck to move it.
- Delaying statutory notification or failing to record a near miss.