Specific OSHA requirements need to be met in order to use any type of lift truck. Many of the businesses utilizing forklifts would provide basic training to the other office and sales staff in combination with visitors and other non operators who may venture into the distribution areas. Even though 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 certain risks, such as pedestrians exposed to lift trucks in motion.
A huge concern which would have to be dealt with is pedestrian safety. According to the NIOSH or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; roughly 20% of all forklift mishaps comprise a pedestrian being struck by a forklift. This statistic means approximately 19,000 people each and every year.
Nevertheless briefly or frequently individuals are around industrial trucks during their work day, there are some basic steps which must be taken so as to keep everyone safe. Among the main considerations is that lift truck pedestrian accidents normally occur in situations where the pedestrian is ignorant of safety measures. Issues also happen more frequently when the pedestrian has become used to frequent interaction with forklifts and ends up complacent.
There are several common situations to look out for so as to prevent placing yourself at potential risk from being struck by a forklift. Pedestrians not seeing the forklift is a common problem which has to be dealt with. Many operations have varying degrees of intersections or blind corners that pedestrians need to be aware of. Sometimes pedestrians do not hear the forklift. Be careful of the different types of power sources. Like for instance, electric trucks can be much quieter than IC engines which are super loud.
The other major problems are when pedestrians come in too close proximity of the equipment. Common sense tells us that in order for a pedestrian to be injured by a lift truck, the pedestrian has to be near to be struck. For a forklift which is working, a four foot safety zone is suggested so as to make a safe perimeter for everybody. This really helps to address risks such as the model driving accidentally 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.