Guessing things have changed, or maybe different type of forklift, but forks were always to be ~6” off the ground when traveling. Forks higher up would cause center of gravity to be too high when making turns.
I’m assuming the forks may have not been involved in the severing, but the bulk of the machine running over him did the job. Terrible tragedy that looks like both parties were equally the cause of. Phone and driving, no safety vest, and the pedestrians are still responsible for looking out for machinery. When I visit plants you are drilled into your head that pedestrians do not have the right of way and you are responsible for making sure traffic is clear.
Yep, forks at 6 inches and tilted down when traveling without load, driver is responsible for keeping the forks away from potential collisions, pedestrians are responsible for their safety as well.
Talking on a phone while driving is probably against their rules too