Particular OSHA requirements need to be met in order to use any kind of forklift. A lot of the companies utilizing forklifts will provide basic training to the other office and sales employees in combination with visitors and other non operators who might venture into the distribution areas. Even though OSHA doesn't particularly address lift truck pedestrian training, the OSHA General Duty Clause dictates that employers have to take measures so as to protect employees from certain risks, such as pedestrians exposed to lift trucks in motion.
Pedestrian safety is a big problem which needs to be addressed and not ignored. According to the NIOSH or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; about 20 percent of all forklift accidents comprise a pedestrian being struck by a forklift. This statistic means about 19,000 individuals on an annual basis.
Nonetheless frequently or briefly individuals are around industrial trucks during their work day, there are some basic steps that should be taken so as to keep everyone safe. One of the major considerations is that forklift pedestrian accidents often occur in cases where the pedestrian is not aware of safety precautions. Problems also occur more frequently when the pedestrian has become used to frequent interaction with forklifts and ends up complacent.
There are some common situations to look out for so as to prevent placing yourself at possible risk from being struck by a forklift. Pedestrians not seeing the lift truck is a common issue that needs to be dealt with. Many operations have varying degrees of blind corners or intersections which pedestrians need to know. Sometimes pedestrians do not hear the lift truck. Be careful of the various kinds of power sources. For example, electric trucks can be much quieter than IC engines which are really loud.
Coming in too near the machinery is another common problem for pedestrians. In order for a pedestrian to be injured by a lift truck, common sense tells us that the pedestrian needs to be in close proximity to be struck. For a forklift that is running, a four foot safety zone is suggested so as to make a safe perimeter for everybody. This really helps to deal with risks such as the model driving accidentally over a pedestrian's foot.
To make sure that the workplace safety remains paramount and stays top notch, the implementation and following of strict safety protocol is vital.