A clamp which was attached to a Linde HD 50 forklift failed catastrophically when a steel rod sheared. This resulted in a pack being dropped as it was being placed on the ground. The incident could have been much worse as packs can be stacked 4 to 5 cubes high at full extension. No injury occurred during the incident, but the potential was far greater. Investigations identified that the clamp and truck had been in service just under three years and that the clamp attachment had been serviced within the last 9-10 months.

Learning Points:

• The service of the clamp attachment and inspection routines failed to pick up this fault

• Existing clamp attachments should be checked / inspected by NDT to ensure they are crack free Actions:

• Amend service routine to cover NDT of area of rod that failed

• Review frequency of inspection and service