In order to utilize any type of lift truck, certain OSHA requirements need to be met. Some businesses provide basic awareness training to other individuals such as visitors and office employees or sales people and other non-operators who might venture into the yard or warehouse. Though OSHA doesn't specifically deal with 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 moving lift trucks.
Pedestrian safety is a big problem which needs to be addressed and not ignored. Based on the NIOSH or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; about 20% of all forklift accidents consist of a pedestrian being struck by a forklift. This statistic means approximately 19,000 individuals on a yearly basis.
However frequently or briefly individuals are around industrial trucks during their work day, there are some basic steps that must be taken so as to keep everybody safe. Among the main considerations is that forklift pedestrian mishaps usually occur in cases where the pedestrian is not aware of safety precautions. Issues also happen more frequently when the pedestrian has become used to frequent interaction with forklifts and ends up complacent.
So as to avoid putting yourself at potential risk of being struck by a forklift, there are some common situations to look out for. One of the most common problems is when pedestrians did not see the lift truck. Numerous operations have varying degrees of blind corners or intersections which pedestrians must be aware of. Sometimes pedestrians do not hear the lift truck. Be careful of the various types of power sources. Like for instance, electric trucks can be a lot quieter compared to internal combustion engines that are super loud.
The other major issues are when pedestrians come in too close proximity of the machine. Common sense tells us that in order for a pedestrian to be injured by a lift truck, the pedestrian needs 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 address risks such as the unit accidentally driving over a pedestrian's foot.
To make certain that the workplace safety remains paramount and stays top notch, the implementation and following of strict safety protocol is vital.