Particular OSHA requirements need to be met so as to operate any type of lift truck. Many of the businesses using forklifts will offer basic training to the other sales and office staff in addition to visitors and other non operators who may venture into the distribution areas. Though OSHA doesn't specifically deal with forklift pedestrian training, the OSHA General Duty Clause dictates that employers should take measures so as to protect employees from certain risks, like for example pedestrians exposed to moving lift trucks.
Pedestrian safety is a huge concern which has to be dealt with and not overlooked. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health or NIOSH; approximately 20 percent of all forklift mishaps comprise a pedestrian being struck by a forklift. This statistic translates to about 19,000 people on a yearly basis.
So as to keep everyone safe, there are some basic steps that must be taken into account. This is regardless to how frequently or briefly individuals are around industrial trucks during their work day. Amongst the major considerations is that lift truck pedestrian accidents usually occur in situations where the pedestrian is ignorant of safety measures. Problems also occur more frequently when the pedestrian ends up complacent since she or he has become used to frequent interaction with lift trucks.
There are some common situations to look out for so as to avoid placing yourself at possible risk from being struck by a forklift. Pedestrians not seeing the lift truck is a common problem that needs to be dealt with. A lot operations have various degrees of blind corners or intersections which pedestrians should know. Sometimes pedestrians do not hear the lift truck. Be really careful of the various kinds of power sources. For example, electric trucks can be a lot quieter compared to internal combustion engines that are super loud.
Coming in too close proximity of the machine is another common concern for pedestrians. In order for a pedestrian to be injured by a forklift, common sense tells us that the pedestrian needs to be in close proximity to be struck. For a lift truck that is running, 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 model driving accidentally over the foot of a pedestrian.
To make sure that the workplace safety stays top notch and remains paramount, the implementation and following of strict safety protocol is key.