Specific OSHA requirements have to be met so as to utilize any type of lift truck. Many of the businesses using forklifts will provide basic training to the other sales and office staff in combination with visitors and other non operators who may venture into the distribution areas. Though OSHA doesn't specifically address lift truck pedestrian training, the OSHA General Duty Clause dictates that employers must take measures so as to protect employees from certain risks, like for example pedestrians exposed to lift trucks in motion.
Pedestrian safety is a huge concern that has to be dealt with and not overlooked. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health or NIOSH; around 20 percent of all forklift mishaps include a pedestrian being struck by a forklift. This statistic translates to around 19,000 people each and every year.
Then again frequently or briefly people are around industrial trucks during their work day, there are some basic steps which must be taken so as to keep everybody safe. Amongst the main considerations is that lift truck pedestrian accidents normally happen in cases where the pedestrian is not aware of safety measures. Problems also happen more frequently when the pedestrian ends up complacent because he or she has become used to frequent interaction with lift trucks.
In order to avoid putting yourself at possible risk of being struck by a forklift, there are several common situations to look out for. Among the most common issues is when pedestrians did not see the forklift. Many operations have various degrees of intersections or blind corners that pedestrians should be aware of. At times pedestrians do not hear the forklift. Be really careful of the various types of power sources. For example, electric trucks could be a lot quieter than internal combustion engines which are really loud.
The other major issues are when pedestrians come in too near the machinery. Common sense tells us that in order for a pedestrian to be injured by a forklift, the pedestrian has to be near to be struck. For a lift truck that is working, a four foot safety zone is suggested so as to make a safe perimeter for everybody. This helps to deal with risks like for example the model accidentally driving over the foot of a pedestrian.
Implementing and following strict safety protocol helps to make sure that the workplace safety stays top notch and remains paramount.