By: Kristopher J. Seluga, PE
Tel: (203) 329-9909
Email: Technology Associates
Forklifts, industrial trucks, skid steer loaders, bobcats and other similar material-handling machines are often difficult to maneuver and susceptible to a wide range of accidents. Their nature exposes operators and nearby co-workers to falling loads, crushing hazards and lading dock falls. Large loads and high centers of gravity also make these machines prone to tip-over accidents. To mitigate some of these dangers, machines are usually equipped with Roll Over Protective Structures (ROPS), Falling Object Protective Structures (FOPR) and other forms of guarding. Machine speed and braking acceleration is often controlled electronically to reduce the likelihood of a tip-over.
At Technology Associates our testing, research and analysis capabilities include:
Through scientific analysis, we can help you answer pertinent questions such as:
Missing Locking Pin:
A forklift operator was lifting a large load while an assistant was standing nearby observing the operation. Suddenly, one fork shifted its position and caused the load to fall onto the assistant, causing a severe crush injury. Upon inspection of the machine, Technology Associates identified a missing fork locking pin, which allowed the fork to move unexpectedly and caused the accident, indicating that the accident was the result of improper maintenance.
Forklift Intrusion:
The driver of an upright lift truck crashed into a metal railing when the truck's brakes malfunctioned. The broken railing intruded into operator compartment causing serious leg injuries. We created a biomechanical model to show that the intruding railing caused the injury, as opposed to the defense's claim that the operator stuck her foot out. We also showed that a door would have been an appropriate safety device that would have prevented her injuries, resulting in a substantial jury award.
Kristopher J. Seluga, PE, is a Mechanical Engineering, Accident Reconstruction, Biomechanics, and Safety Expert with over 20 years of experience. He received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the Mechanical Engineering department at MIT where he worked on the development of novel three-dimensional printing technologies. Mr. Seluga is also a licensed Professional Engineer in New York and Connecticut, and has served as a member of the ANSI engineering committee for the Z130.1 and Z135 standards for golf cars and PTV's. His research interests and peer reviewed publications span the topics of Motor Vehicle Dynamics, Product Safety, and Biomechanics.
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7/21/2009· Accident Investigation & Reconstruction
Forensic Engineering Experts: Pedestrians & Bicycles
Pedestrian and bicycle accidents in the United States result in approximately 80,000 and 50,000 injuries each year, respectively. Though pedestrians and bicycles move differently, they share important characteristics as both have little protection during a roadway collision with a motor vehicle.
7/31/2009· Accident Investigation & Reconstruction
Forensic Engineering Experts: Golf Carts
There are roughly 9,000 golf cart related accidents requiring emergency room treatment in the United States each year. The majority of these accidents are related to either braking, cart rollover or passenger ejection. These problems are common to golf carts due to their open design, lack of seatbelts, poor braking capabilities and the uneven terrains they are driven on.
9/6/2017· Accident Investigation & Reconstruction
Case Study: Retained by Plaintiff Injured Motorist
By: Richard Beaubien
A motorist exiting a rural freeway was struck by a motorist on the intersecting State Route at the top of the exit ramp. At the westbound exit ramp from the Interstate freeway the State Route a stop sign is posted at the end of the ramp requiring exiting traffic to stop before entering the State Route. However, the eastbound off ramp traffic is not required to stop before entering the State Route. A stop sign is posted on southbound State Route at the ramp terminal. This is an unusual traffic signing pattern for interstate off ramps. Expert observations of the operation of this intersection showed that a large proportion of the eastbound off ramp traffic slowed down at the end of the ramp, expecting to stop at the State Route.
