Specific OSHA requirements need to be met so as to utilize any kind of forklift. Many of the businesses using forklifts would provide basic training to the other office and sales employees along with visitors and other non operators who may venture into the distribution areas. Even though OSHA doesn't particularly address lift truck pedestrian training, the OSHA General Duty Clause dictates that employers have to take measures in order to protect employees from some risks, like pedestrians exposed to moving lift trucks.
A huge problem that would need to be addressed is pedestrian safety. Based on the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health or NIOSH; roughly 20% of all forklift mishaps consist of a pedestrian being struck by a forklift. This statistic translates to around 19,000 individuals each and every year.
Nevertheless briefly or frequently people are around industrial trucks in their work day, there are several basic steps that must be taken in order to keep everybody safe. One of the major considerations is that forklift pedestrian accidents usually happen in situations where the pedestrian is not aware of safety measures. Problems also occur more frequently when the pedestrian has become used to frequent interaction with forklifts and ends up complacent.
In order to avoid putting yourself at possible risk of being struck by a lift truck, there are some common situations to look out for. Among the most common issues is when pedestrians did not see the lift truck. Many operations have different degrees of intersections or blind corners which pedestrians should know. Sometimes pedestrians do not hear the lift truck. Be careful of the various types of power sources. For instance, electric trucks could be much quieter compared to internal combustion engines that are super loud.
The other main issues are when pedestrians come in too near the equipment. Common sense tells us that in order for a pedestrian to be injured by a lift truck, the pedestrian has to be in close enough proximity to be struck. For a forklift that is working, a four foot safety zone is suggested so as to make a safe perimeter for everyone. This really helps to deal with risks like for instance the model accidentally driving over a pedestrian's foot.
Implementing and following strict safety protocol helps to make certain that the workplace safety remains paramount and stays top notch.