Particular OSHA requirements need to be met so as to operate any type of forklift. Many of the businesses utilizing forklifts will offer basic training to the other office and sales employees in combination with visitors and other non operators who may venture into the distribution areas. Though OSHA doesn't particularly deal with lift truck pedestrian training, the OSHA General Duty Clause dictates that employers must take measures in order to protect employees from some risks, like for instance pedestrians exposed to lift trucks in motion.
Pedestrian safety is a huge problem which needs to be dealt with and not overlooked. According to the NIOSH or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; roughly 20% of all forklift accidents consist of a pedestrian being struck by a forklift. This statistic means roughly 19,000 people on a yearly basis.
In order to keep everyone safe, there are several basic steps which should be taken into consideration. This is regardless to how frequently or briefly people are around industrial trucks in their work day. Amongst the main factors is that lift truck pedestrian accidents usually occur in cases where the pedestrian is not aware of safety measures. Issues also occur more often when the pedestrian has become used to frequent interaction with forklifts and ends up complacent.
There are some common situations to look out for in order to avoid placing yourself at potential risk from being struck by a lift truck. Pedestrians not seeing the forklift is a common problem which needs to be dealt with. Many operations have varying degrees of blind corners or intersections which pedestrians need to be aware of. At times pedestrians do not hear the forklift. Be careful of the different kinds of power sources. Like for example, electric trucks could be a lot quieter than internal combustion engines which are really loud.
Coming in too close proximity of the machinery 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 which is running, a four foot safety zone is suggested so as to make a safe perimeter for everyone. This really helps to deal with risks like for instance the model accidentally driving over the foot of a pedestrian.
Implementing and following strict safety protocol helps to make certain that the workplace safety stays top notch and remains paramount.