In order to operate any type of forklift, specific OSHA requirements have to be met. Several companies offer basic awareness training to other individuals such as visitors and office staff or sales people and other non-operators who may venture into the yard or warehouse. Even if OSHA doesn't specifically address forklift pedestrian training, the OSHA General Duty Clause dictates that employers must take measures so as to protect employees from some dangers, like for instance pedestrians exposed to lift trucks in motion.
Pedestrian safety is a big concern that needs to be dealt with and not disregarded. Based on the NIOSH or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; about 20% of all forklift accidents consist of a pedestrian being struck by a forklift. This statistic translates to approximately 19,000 people on a yearly basis.
Nonetheless frequently or briefly individuals are around industrial trucks in their work day, there are several basic steps that should be taken in order to keep everyone safe. Among the main considerations is that forklift pedestrian mishaps normally occur in situations where the pedestrian is not aware of safety precautions. Issues also happen more frequently when the pedestrian has become used to frequent interaction with forklifts and ends up complacent.
So as to avoid putting yourself at potential risk of being struck by a forklift, 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 must know. Sometimes pedestrians do not hear the lift truck. Be very careful of the various kinds of power sources. Like for instance, electric trucks may be much quieter than internal combustion engines that are really loud.
Coming in too near the equipment is another common issue for pedestrians. In order for a pedestrian to be injured by a lift truck, common sense tells us that the pedestrian has to be in close proximity to be struck. For a forklift which is working, a four foot safety zone is recommended so as to make a safe perimeter for everybody. This helps to address risks like for example the model accidentally driving over a pedestrian's foot.
Implementing and following strict safety protocol helps to make certain that the workplace safety stays top notch and remains paramount.