Specific OSHA requirements need to be met so as to utilize any type of forklift. Many of the companies utilizing lift trucks will provide basic training to the other office and sales staff along 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 in order to protect employees from certain dangers, like pedestrians exposed to lift trucks in motion.
Pedestrian safety is a huge concern which has to be dealt with and not disregarded. According to the NIOSH or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; approximately 20 percent of all forklift mishaps include a pedestrian being struck by a forklift. This statistic translates to around 19,000 individuals on an annual basis.
So as to keep everybody safe, there are some basic steps which must be taken into consideration. This is regardless to how frequently or briefly people are around industrial trucks during their work day. One of the main factors is that forklift pedestrian mishaps normally occur in situations where the pedestrian is not aware of safety precautions. Problems also occur more frequently when the pedestrian ends up complacent because he or she has become used to frequent interaction with forklifts.
In order to avoid putting yourself at possible risk of being struck by a lift truck, there are several common situations to look out for. Amongst the most common issues is when pedestrians did not see the forklift. Numerous operations have different degrees of blind corners or intersections that pedestrians must be aware of. At times pedestrians do not hear the lift truck. Be very careful of the different types of power sources. Like for instance, electric trucks may be a lot quieter than internal combustion engines which are super loud.
The other main problems are when pedestrians come in too close proximity of the machinery. Common sense tells us that in order for a pedestrian to be injured by a lift truck, the pedestrian has to be in close enough proximity to be struck. For a lift truck that is running, a four foot safety zone is recommended in order to make a safe perimeter for everybody. This helps to address risks like the unit accidentally driving over a pedestrian's foot.
Following and implementing strict safety protocol helps to make sure that the workplace safety remains paramount and stays top notch.