Bloomin Forklift Drivers

One of our drivers had just loaded 3 pallets and as the forklift driver loaded through the side door he reversed out

and pulled the side door off.

His first words were "It must have been loose i only touched it a little bit"

The driver had to strip and remove the roller mechinisms and refit on site.

The door is bent at the bottom where it hit the floor and the forklift driver said the forklift didn't actually bend the

door so he can't be blamed for that.

I don't like charging for damage but sometimes you don't have a choice.

He can't be blame for the damage of the door hitting the floor, what a monkey!

If we expect drivers to unload from the side door we must take the risk that goes with it. You may ty to charge the company they then may say Why did you not use a curtain sider

Had a forklift driver with extra long forks unload through side door and punch 2 holes in the offside once.

His company did pay for the damage.

Barnsley They did not book a Curtainsider. it is only 3 pallets and the side door is there to be used.

If one of my drivers reversed and hit a businesses roller shutter door does this also mean that the company receiving the goods should take the risk that goes with accepting goods?

Hewitt Logistics said:

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Barnsley They did not book a Curtainsider. it is only 3 pallets and the side door is there to be used.

The problems usually occur wth the delivery point but it is the dispatcher who books the vehicles

I usually take most calls and i ask all dimensions and weights.

The customers are offered a larger vehicle if the dimensions are close and they then have the choice, Unless it's obvious I. E They want a 3 metre long box in a small van.

One we deliver into in coventry ripped the door off one of mine 8k on the clock 6 weeks old they did get a bill for £1700 repair bill and they paid it ;-)

As for not charging for damage, do you think they would think like that if you hit something of theres

Hewitt Logistics said:

The driver had to strip and remove the roller mechinisms and refit on site.

Wouldn't blame you for charging for lost time as well as the damage, especially with the inclement weather causing traffic problems.

Parkinson Direct said:

If we expect drivers to unload from the side door we must take the risk that goes with it. You may ty to charge the company they then may say Why did you not use a curtain sider

You really are a waste of oxygen!

Thought it was just a 'duty of care'

If they needed a curtainsider because their forklifters were too incompetent to load a van they should have specified that with whoever made the booking. Like you say,, the vehicle was being loaded as it was designed to be, so they must accept responsibility.

The company loading, should have liability insurance. Again the importance of a good working relationship with your customer cannot be stressed enough. It might be to their advantage (and ultimately yours, if you want to continue working for them) to pay for any damage to your vehicle, without involving an insurance claim.
As in all aspects, good communication is vital. I am sure they will lean on the side of their driver though as would be expected, but surely the first thing to do is talk with the 'boss?'

If the forklift is used to go between 2 sites on the road then it should have it's own 3rd party insurance,

But I would think that company's public liability insurance would cover it also,

I would think it would be a toss up between losing the work if they took offence and getting your van repaired, if it's all up together or a rust bucket the decision is still yours!!