Specific OSHA requirements need to be met so as to operate any type of lift truck. Many of the businesses utilizing forklifts would provide basic training to the other sales and office staff in combination with visitors and other non operators who may venture into the distribution areas. Even if OSHA doesn't specifically deal with lift truck pedestrian training, the OSHA General Duty Clause dictates that employers should take measures so as to protect employees from certain dangers, like pedestrians exposed to lift trucks in motion.
Pedestrian safety is a big issue which has to be dealt with and not ignored. Based on the NIOSH or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; about 20% of all forklift accidents include a pedestrian being struck by a forklift. This statistic translates to around 19,000 individuals on an annual basis.
In order to keep everybody safe, there are some basic steps which should be taken into consideration. This is regardless to how frequently or briefly individuals are around industrial trucks in their work day. Among the main considerations is that forklift pedestrian mishaps normally happen 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.
There are several 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 lift truck is a common problem which needs to be dealt with. Numerous operations have various degrees of intersections or blind corners that pedestrians should know. At times pedestrians do not hear the lift truck. Be careful of the different types of power sources. For instance, electric trucks can be a lot quieter compared to internal combustion engines which are really loud.
The other main issues are when pedestrians come in too near the machinery. Common sense tells us that in order for a pedestrian to be injured by a forklift, the pedestrian needs to be near to be struck. For a forklift which is working, a four foot safety zone is suggested so as to make a safe perimeter for everybody. This helps to address risks like for instance the model accidentally driving over the foot of a pedestrian.
Following and implementing strict safety protocol helps to make certain that the workplace safety stays top notch and remains paramount.