Specific OSHA requirements have to be met so as to operate any kind of lift truck. Many of the companies utilizing lift trucks will provide basic training to the other sales and office employees in combination with visitors and other non operators who may venture into the distribution areas. Even if OSHA doesn't particularly deal with forklift pedestrian training, the OSHA General Duty Clause dictates that employers should take measures so as to protect employees from certain dangers, such as pedestrians exposed to lift trucks in motion.
Pedestrian safety is a huge issue that has to be addressed and not overlooked. Based on the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health or NIOSH; approximately 20 percent of all forklift accidents consist of a pedestrian being struck by a forklift. This statistic means roughly 19,000 individuals every year.
Nevertheless frequently or briefly individuals are around industrial trucks during their work day, there are some basic steps which must be taken in order to keep everybody safe. One of the major considerations is that lift truck pedestrian mishaps normally occur in cases where the pedestrian is not aware of safety measures. Problems 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 in order to prevent placing yourself at potential risk from being struck by a forklift. Pedestrians not seeing the lift truck is a common issue which has to be addressed. Many operations have varying degrees of blind corners or intersections which pedestrians should know. Sometimes pedestrians do not hear the forklift. Be really careful of the various types of power sources. Like for example, electric trucks may be a lot quieter compared to internal combustion engines which are really loud.
The other main issues 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 forklift, the pedestrian needs to be in close enough proximity to be struck. For a forklift which is running, a four foot safety zone is recommended so as to make a safe perimeter for everybody. This helps to address risks like the model driving accidentally over the foot of a pedestrian.
Implementing and following strict safety protocol helps to make certain that the workplace safety remains paramount and stays top notch.