Specific OSHA requirements need to be met in order to utilize any type of lift truck. Many of the companies using forklifts will offer basic training to the other sales and office employees along with visitors and other non operators who may venture into the distribution areas. Even if OSHA doesn't specifically address forklift pedestrian training, the OSHA General Duty Clause dictates that employers must take measures in order to protect employees from certain risks, like for example pedestrians exposed to lift trucks in motion.
Pedestrian safety is a big issue that needs to be addressed and not disregarded. Based on the NIOSH or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; approximately 20% of all forklift accidents comprise a pedestrian being struck by a forklift. This statistic means around 19,000 people on a yearly basis.
However frequently or briefly people are around industrial trucks in their work day, there are some basic steps that must be taken in order to keep everyone safe. Among the major factors is that lift truck pedestrian accidents normally happen in situations where the pedestrian is ignorant of safety measures. Problems also happen more often 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 in order to avoid placing yourself at possible risk from being struck by a forklift. Pedestrians not seeing the forklift is a common issue which has to be dealt with. Many operations have various degrees of blind corners or intersections which pedestrians should be aware of. At times pedestrians do not hear the lift truck. Be careful of the different kinds of power sources. For instance, electric trucks could be a lot quieter than IC engines which are really loud.
Coming in too near the machine is another common issue for pedestrians. In order for a pedestrian to be injured by a forklift, common sense tells us that the pedestrian has to be in close proximity to be struck. For a lift truck that is running, a four foot safety zone is suggested so as to make a safe perimeter for everyone. This helps to deal with risks such as the model driving accidentally over a pedestrian's foot.
To make certain that the workplace safety stays top notch and remains paramount, the implementation and following of strict safety protocol is key.