Particular OSHA requirements have to be met so as to operate any type of lift truck. Many of the businesses using forklifts would provide basic training to the other sales and office employees in combination with visitors and other non operators who might venture into the distribution areas. Even if OSHA doesn't specifically address lift truck pedestrian training, the OSHA General Duty Clause dictates that employers have to take measures so as to protect employees from certain dangers, like for instance pedestrians exposed to moving lift trucks.
A big problem which will have to be dealt with is pedestrian safety. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health or NIOSH; about 20% of all forklift mishaps include a pedestrian being struck by a forklift. This statistic translates to approximately 19,000 individuals on an annual basis.
Nonetheless briefly or frequently individuals are around industrial trucks in their work day, there are some basic steps that must be taken so as to keep everyone safe. Among the major considerations is that forklift pedestrian accidents usually occur in situations where the pedestrian is not aware of safety measures. Issues also happen more often 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 avoid placing yourself at potential risk from being struck by a lift truck. Pedestrians not seeing the forklift is a common problem that has to be dealt with. Numerous operations have varying degrees of intersections or blind corners that pedestrians must be aware of. At times pedestrians do not hear the lift truck. Be really careful of the various kinds of power sources. For example, electric trucks could be a lot quieter than internal combustion engines that are really loud.
The other major 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 lift truck, the pedestrian needs to be in close enough proximity to be struck. For a forklift that is working, a four foot safety zone is recommended so as to make a safe perimeter for everyone. This really helps to address risks like for instance the unit accidentally driving over a pedestrian's foot.
Following and implementing strict safety protocol helps to make certain that the workplace safety remains paramount and stays top notch.