Industry: Logistics & Warehousing · Country: United Arab Emirates · Date: 10 Feb 2026 · Incident type: near miss
A forklift operator was reversing out of racking aisle 7 at the distribution center when a warehouse operative on foot walked into the path of the forklift. The operative was wearing headphones and did not hear the reversing alarm. The forklift stopped approximately 0.5 meters from the pedestrian. No physical contact was made, but the incident had potential for fatal injury.
A forklift operator was reversing out of racking aisle 7 at the distribution center when a warehouse operative on foot walked into the path of the forklift. The operative was wearing headphones and did not hear the reversing alarm. The forklift stopped approximately 0.5 meters from the pedestrian. No physical contact was made, but the incident had potential for fatal injury.
Pedestrian entered a designated forklift zone without checking for moving vehicles. Headphone use masked the audible reversing alarm.
Absence of enforced pedestrian segregation in the aisle area. Insufficient awareness campaign regarding headphone prohibition in operational zones. Forklift reversing mirror at junction was obscured by newly stacked pallets.
Injury type: None – Near Miss
1. Physical barriers (bollards and painted pedestrian walkways) must be installed in all forklift operational areas immediately. 2. A zero-tolerance policy for headphone use in operational zones must be communicated and enforced. 3. All junction mirrors and CCTV cameras must be checked weekly for obstructions. 4. Refresher forklift awareness training delivered to all warehouse staff.